Penang Private Hospitals Are Allegedly Charging Patients For Temperature Checks & Hand Sanitizer

The public is urged to report any unscrupulous business activities they come by.

Yusof Mat Isa/Malay Mail

Subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest stories and updates.

While most places are freely checking in or more often enough have patrons “tit” themselves as part of Covid-19 guidelines, several private hospitals in Penang are allegedly charging patients RM5 for conducting government mandated standard operating procedures (SOP).

Covid-19 guidelines require everyone to check themselves in either digitally via the MySejahtera mobile application or sign their name manually at businesses, events and public places, besides having their temperature scanned as a precaution.
(Reddit/FayeChan350259)

The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) said in a statement that it received complaints that these hospitals were charging their inpatients – patients who are warded and living at the hospital while getting treatment – a fee of RM5 for scanning the person’s body temperature and providing them with hand sanitizers.

The fees were found to be included in the patients total medical bills.

Shocked by such actions, CAP urged hospitals to stop their nonsense, arguing that other industries are complying with the same SOP without essentially cheating people out of their money.

CAP states that in such times as a pandemic, a little humanity goes a long way, and such services should be carried out of generosity and a part of the organization’s corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Earlier in 2020, a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur was investigated by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) for allegedly overcharging their patients for the use of three-ply masks.

KPDNHEP urged consumers to report any unscrupulous business activities to its hotlines, official emails, or through the ministry’s mobile app.