Not true HRPB patients stopped from being discharged — Mah

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IPOH: Perak’s National Integration and New Villages Committee chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon denied allegations that the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital (HRPB) refused to discharged patients until hospital bills were paid.

The allegation was untrue, as at Feb this year, checks by the HRPB revenue unit revealed the total outstanding treatment bills was RM395,371 which involved 1,150 patients, he said at the state assembly sitting here, yesterday.

He was replying to a supplementary question from A. Sivasubramaniam (DAP-Buntong) who queried whether HRPB prevented three individuals from being discharged for failing to settle their treatment bills.

“In 2013, 2,268 patients did not settle their outstanding bills amounting to RM354,856.50. There was an increase of outstanding bills in 2014, with accumulated value of RM517,832.50 involving 3,956 patients,” Mah said.

Mah said in 2013, 417 patients received assistance from the Medical Aid Fund (TBP) totaling RM2.4 million while 35 patients received assistance from the Perak Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIP) totalling RM118,224.

“In 2014, allocations totaling RM3.4 million was given by TBP to assist 502 patients while in the same year, MAIP allocated RM97,254 for 29 patients.

“As at March 12 this year, 77 patients has received assistance from TBP with allocations totalling RM453,433. However, no allocations were given by MAIP from March 13 to 15,” he said.

Meanwhile, State Tourism, Arts and Culture Committee chairman, Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohammed Radzi said the animation theme park project in Bandar Meru was progressing on schedule and was expected to be completed by the end of this year.

“The animation theme park will emerge as one of the main attractions for tourists coming to Perak especially Ipoh and its is estimated Perak will  receive 1.4 million visitors a year, this will open up 4,000 job opportunities when it is completed,” she said in replying to question from Zainun Mat Nor (BN-Chenderoh). — Bernama