Speaking at a panel discussion here, Dr Sara Zachariah from Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said that while United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cardholders received a 50% discount on hospital bills, it was still a burden for them.
Zachariah explained that as refugees had no formal access to employment in Malaysia, they ended up earning low wages in 3D (dirty, demeaning, and dangerous) jobs – which restricted access to healthcare.
“Even with a discount, healthcare remains unaffordable. Because of this, many delay seeking medical help,” she said during the Building Bridges Towards Refugee Dignity panel discussion here.
She noted how a patient only came to MSF’s clinic a week after suffering a lower leg fracture from a motorcycle accident.
“He couldn’t afford the emergency department fees in his state and travelled to us… By the time he arrived, he was in severe pain, with swelling and a misaligned fracture,” said Zachariah.
“We did what we could, but it was heartbreaking – this could have been prevented if he had access to emergency care when he needed it.”
Another major issue is the fear of being detained, largely due to a health ministry circular that instructs healthcare workers to report undocumented individuals to immigration authorities.
She said this delays medical treatment – especially for undocumented patients.
Zachariah said that language is another barrier as many refugees, especially women, do not speak Malay or English.
She recounted how a patient came to MSF’s clinic last week after being told by another clinic he had viral fever.
“He had a fever and was vomiting but couldn’t afford further treatment. When he came to us, we referred him to the emergency department, and our case worker facilitated the process,” she said.
“It turned out he had tuberculosis – a far more serious condition.
“Because of the language barrier, he hadn’t been able to fully explain his symptoms earlier. Thankfully, he’s now receiving treatment at a government hospital.”
Zachariah also touched on the lack of awareness among refugees about when to seek help, a key reason behind the health promotion and community engagement activities which MSF runs.
There are some 198,430 refugees and asylum-seekers registered with UNHCR in Malaysia as at the end of April, with 58,030 of them children.
UNHCR Malaysia’s website states that some 177,110 refugees are from Myanmar, comprising some 116,020 Rohingyas, 29,450 Chins, and 31,640 other ethnic groups from conflict-affected areas or fleeing persecution in Myanmar.
The remaining individuals are some 21,320 refugees and asylum-seekers from 50 countries fleeing war and persecution, including some 5,670 Pakistanis, 3,050 Yemenis, 2,810 Afghans, 2,800 Somalis, 2,540 Syrians, 1,040 Sri Lankans, 500 Palestinians, 440 Iraqis, and others.