PeKa B40 age limit lowered to 40 years old from 50
Just 4 months ago, the Health Ministry launched the Healthcare Protection Scheme for low-income B40 group (PeKa B40) to help the bottom 40% with screening for non-communicable diseases like cancer, hypertension, and diabetes.
Now, the age limit of those eligible for the scheme has been changed.
According to the Health Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad, the decision to lower the age from 50 years old to 40 years old was made during a post-cabinet meeting recently.
This move is done to increase the chances of early detection for the diseases covered by the scheme.
With a budget of RM100 million for 800,000 people, only about 40,000 people have utilised this benefit to date.
That’s only about 0.05% of the estimated number of people expected to be screened.
Sarawak records the highest number of people using this free screening facility, with 9,852 people checked so far using the PeKa B40.
This number is followed by Kedah with 6,324 people screened, Penang and Perak at third and fourth placing with 4,582 and 4,209 people examined respectively.
In an interview shared on KKM’s twitter page today, Dr. Dzul is seen explaining the many types of medical aids available for those in the B40 group under the PeKa scheme.
Among the medical aids given for free include stents and pacemakers (commonly used for patients with heart disease).
Are you eligible for the PeKa B40 health screening?
Check your status here and find the nearest free clinic available to you here.
If you are eligible, hurry up and go for your check-ups for free! Not only are they free, there isn’t even any special registration needed.
