Health Ministry to propose including mental health in public health insurance packages
The Health Ministry is proposing to the Cabinet that coverage for mental health be included in health insurance packages available to the public.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni told reporters on Thursday (Aug 15) that the ministry is also exploring ways to encourage private sector employers to provide mental health treatment coverage for their employees.
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Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni told reporters on Thursday (Aug 15) that the ministry is also exploring ways to encourage private sector employers to provide mental health treatment coverage for their employees.
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Transcript
00:00One more question, can I? Will MOH encourage private employers to cover mental health treatment?
00:11Yes, that is a good question.
00:14Some MPs have said that there is a need for employers to help MOH or mental health patients to get treatment.
00:32Maybe there is a mechanism that MOH will not be able to implement.
00:41Maybe we will involve intra-agency.
00:44Especially in terms of source and other departments.
00:49How can we think of a way forward for private sector to cover or include mental health as a treatment in insurance packages.
01:06Will MOH approve this offer?
01:09We will consult with the Cabinet to see which agencies can cover this issue.
01:22This will also result in Ringgit and cents.
01:25Of course, other sectors will give their opinion and we will not do this one way.
01:35This must be a two-way.
01:37The industry also needs to be involved to give their opinion.
01:42Because we do not want this issue to be considered as a burden.
01:45Even though the productivity of an organisation will decrease,
01:50if the employees have a low level of motivation due to the pressure or mental health that they are facing.