A total of 95,955 Employees Provident Fund (EPF) members have withdrawn a total of RM690 million under the fund’s health withdrawal scheme introduced 16 years ago, the Dewan Negara was told yesterday.
Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin said the scheme was aimed at allowing members to withdraw money to pay for the medical cost of critical illnesses suffered by them or dependents.
He said effective June 15, 2010, EPF had expanded the list of illnesses to 36 from 13, as well as three diseases involving those under 16 years of age.
They include cancer, chronic liver disease, renal failure, heart attack, asthma and leukaemia, he said in response to a question from Senator Lee Cheam Choon at the Senate sitting here yesterday.
Awang Adek said the scheme had contributed to easing the financial burden of EPF contributors with regard to paying for medical costs. — Bernama