Senior Citizen Health Benefits initiative targets 100k seniors by year-end

DEBAK: One hundred thousand seniors in Sarawak are targeted to receive the Senior Citizen Health Benefits (SCHB) that will be launched on Aug 10 by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said SCHB is an initiative for those aged 60 and above to get outpatient medical services at private clinics (general practitioners) for health problems.

“This includes conditions such as fever, cold, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, sprains, mild skin irritation (allergies/itching), gout, minor trauma like small wounds, and others, in addition to dental services such as extractions, fillings, and dentures,” she explained.

“Based on e-Kasih records and the Monthly Assistance Scheme for the Elderly, we already have 75,137 eligible people on the first phase list (SCHB benefit recipients).

“Therefore, in total until the end of this year it is targeted that 100,000 senior citizens in Sarawak will benefit from the SCHB initiative at a rate of RM500 per person,” she said.

She said this at the Hemodialysis Machine Handover Ceremony (Kidney Patient Special Assistance Initiative) 2024 Betong Division at Dewan Millenia near here, yesterday.

She explained that the conditions for the assistance are senior citizens (60 years old and above) who are holders of “K” status identification cards.

“With a monthly household income of RM7,000 and below, and not receiving funding/protection for outpatient treatment from any other agency,” she said.

Fatimah added that services under the SCHB initiative however do not include follow-up treatment for routine Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

“Or follow-up treatment of chronic diseases, health screenings that require samples to be sent to laboratory tests.

“Telemedicine (virtual health care services). This means that the elderly must be physically present to get consultation and treatment at the clinic.

“SCHB also does not cover aesthetic treatment for beauty and ambulance use,” she added.

According to her, the SCHB initiative can be used in 13 private specialist hospitals and medical centres in Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu, Miri, in addition to nine strategic partners.

In addition, 95 medical clinics and dental clinics that agree and will be appointed as SCHB Panel Clinics throughout Sarawak.

Deputy Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Mohammad Razi Sitam; deputy director of Sarawak Social Welfare Department, Norhayati Abdul Rahman; Resident of Betong Division, Richard Michael Abunawas; Health Officer of Betong Division, Dr Mohamad Norhaizam Ahmad @ Narawi; and director of Betong Hospital, Dr David Tan Jung Kang were also present.