And out of this amount, a total of RM50 million comprise bills unpaid by foreigners.

“This represents 84.17% of the arrears.”

Subramaniam said this in a written reply to Lee Boon Chye (PKR-Gopeng) who wanted the ministry to state how much patients owed government hospitals and clinics.

His revelation today comes months after it was reported that Putrajaya will implement a Full Paying Patient (FPP) programme on the rich and on foreigners as part of the government’s efforts to retain specialists in the health service.

Malaysians will still pay RM1 for medical treatment.

The FPP programme was introduced in 2007. The specialist in charge receives 60% of the fees charged for each surgery or medical process, and the remaining 40% goes to the hospital.