Malaysia’s Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), one of the country’s largest public hospitals, has raised its fees as of January 1, 2025, adding to concerns over rising healthcare costs amid an ongoing increase in the cost of living. This fee hike, which includes significant increases for consultations and hospital stays, is particularly alarming for middle- and lower-income patients who already face financial strain.
UMMC, widely recognized as Malaysia’s top teaching hospital, has traditionally offered more affordable healthcare services compared to private hospitals. However, the latest changes have caused anxiety among many patients, including J. Pang, a 49-year-old full-time PhD student who is in remission from ovarian cancer. Pang, who relies on UMMC for her follow-up care, expressed concern about the rising costs of her numerous medical appointments, including those with a lung specialist, oncologist, and psychiatrist.
“As a patient, I can definitely feel the pinch. I have to go to so many follow-up appointments this year. With the cost of living rising and no fixed income, I may have to cut back on appointments,” Pang told The Straits Times on January 13.
The fee hikes at UMMC have led to fears that patients may be priced out of the public healthcare system, pushing more individuals to seek treatment at already overcrowded government facilities. Pang, who also pays for additional medical insurance, expressed concern that the burden of higher fees could disproportionately affect middle- and lower-income patients. “I’m worried this will hurt government hospitals, as many patients may be forced to seek care at even more strained public facilities,” she said.
Among the key changes, the consultation fee for specialists at UMMC has increased by over 200 percent, from RM15 (S$4.50) to RM50. The cost for general clinic visits has tripled, from RM5 to RM15, while the daily charge for a single adult room has jumped 1.5 times, from RM120 to RM300. In comparison, private hospitals in the Klang Valley area typically charge between RM150 and RM350 for specialist consultations and between RM250 and RM305 per day for a single adult room.
Despite these increases, UMMC’s fees still remain lower than those at private hospitals. However, they are now higher than those at Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) and other government-run hospitals in Malaysia, which generally charge lower fees for consultations and room rates. For instance, HKL’s room rates range from RM90 for a non-air-conditioned room to RM120 for an air-conditioned room per day. Specialist consultation fees at other government hospitals are also much lower, ranging from RM1 to RM5 per visit.
UMMC, which serves the suburban areas of Petaling Jaya, Damansara, and surrounding regions, is known for providing specialized care by highly skilled medical professionals. As a teaching hospital, it attracts top talent and offers access to advanced treatments and research, making it a preferred choice for many patients.
So far, there have been no reports of similar fee hikes at other government teaching hospitals in Malaysia. However, the news has raised concerns about the accessibility of healthcare for lower-income individuals, particularly with Malaysia’s minimum wage set at RM1,700 per month starting February 1, 2025.
A patient named Constance, who is in remission from breast cancer and requires ongoing follow-ups and treatments for diabetes, expressed shock at the price increase during her visit to UMMC on January 9. “Honestly, the price increase is on the steep side,” she said. For now, Constance will continue her follow-up visits, but noted that if surgery costs rise further, she may need to reconsider her treatment options.
Dr. Lim Chee Han, a senior researcher at the non-profit Third World Network, highlighted that while medical inflation is a global issue, Malaysia’s increase in healthcare costs—estimated at 15 percent for 2024—has outpaced the global average of 10 percent. He pointed out that wages in Malaysia have largely stagnated, making it increasingly difficult for the middle class to afford both private healthcare and, now, some public healthcare services. This could lead to greater demand on government-run hospitals, exacerbating overcrowding and waiting times.
UMMC explained the fee hikes by pointing to rising costs for advanced medical technologies, consumables, and medical supplies. In a statement, the hospital emphasized its commitment to providing cutting-edge care through continuous investment in state-of-the-art equipment and therapies. However, it acknowledged that the sharp rise in global prices for medical supplies has significantly impacted its operational costs.
Former health minister S. Subramaniam has also pointed to the underfunding of UMMC, which receives significantly less annual funding compared to other hospitals like HKL. He noted that while HKL receives up to RM1.5 billion in federal funds, UMMC, with over 1,600 beds, only receives around RM500 million. Subramaniam called for increased funding to ensure the hospital can continue to serve its patients, particularly the poor.
The fee increases at UMMC are part of a broader trend of rising medical costs in Malaysia, which follows the December 2024 controversy over planned health insurance premium hikes of 40 to 70 percent in 2025. Following public backlash, the government announced interim measures, including spreading the premium increases over three years and imposing a 10 percent annual cap on increases.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has also proposed long-term solutions to address rising medical costs, including the introduction of targeted subsidies for patients who are most affected by the hikes.
As Malaysia faces an ongoing struggle to balance healthcare quality with affordability, the latest fee hikes at UMMC have raised urgent questions about the future of public healthcare in the country and the financial sustainability of medical services for those who rely on them most.
Related topics
