This is in reference to the CodeBlue article dated March 6, 2026, titled “Coronary Stent Excluded From Civil Servants’ GL Coverage In Public Hospitals: UiTM”.
The article quoted Public Service Department (JPA) director-general Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz as saying, “If a required medical device or treatment cannot be provided at a government facility, the patient may obtain it from a private hospital or agency at the government’s expense, subject to regulations under General Orders Chapter F (Medical) 1974 and Section SR.2.1.1 of the Human Resource Services Circular (PPSM).”
Does the director-general mean that stents may be obtained at the government’s expense by civil servants putting the money first as a deposit, and then claiming it later? How likely will a civil servant put in a RM10,000 deposit?
It makes more sense for civil servants to purchase the stent through the guarantee letter without having to pay a deposit upfront, followed by putting in a claim to JPA. That is double work.
Based on my observation, there are no transparent and publicly accessible lists related to public hospital referrals that would lead to stents fully borne by government GLs, without the “deposit first, claim later” method.
Are patients no longer given a choice to choose based on such a list? How does anyone know that the system is not being abused?
It is believed that GLs covered stents without the requirement of a deposit at the National Heart Institute (IJN) seven to eight years ago.
The latest practice of requesting deposits from civil servants for coronary stents by university hospitals is unfair, since government hospitals who have referred patients to university hospitals, due to not having the relevant facilities. Ideally, university hospitals should liaise with the GL provider for any payment purposes.
It was only recently that civil servants were given a pay rise, which was divided into two increments (a year apart), after decades of no salary reviews. However, the recent increment had to contend with rising inflation, which would nullify any pay rise.
Malaysia holds an unenviable record for the highest number of non-communicable disease (NCDs) cases in the Southeast Asia. Naturally, civil servants add to these alarming statistics.
Therefore, the requirement of having to put up a deposit for coronary stents is unjust.
There was a time when coronary stents for civil servants and their families did not require a single cent to be forked out. The GL alone was sufficient. Why has this changed, and why was the change not made known?
Civil servants are expected to be non-corrupt, to not be involved in politics, to defend government policies, and also to pay upfront for coronary stents. I think the government should consider being kinder to civil servants and their families.
How many civil servants can afford to pay the deposit for coronary stents on time? How many civil servants have to support their family members with a reduced quality of life while waiting to come up with the deposit money?
What about the loss of productivity in the civil service during this duration? What about the already congested public health care system which is known for delays?
Civil servants are the backbone of the country. They do not take sides when it comes to politics. Civil servants and their families should not be subjected to the “deposit first, claim later” system.
If the government cannot afford to subsidise coronary stents, the government can pay first for the stents and then make monthly salary deductions from the salaries of civil servants. After all, that particular clause is part of the GL.
When changes are made to pre-existing terms and conditions involving coronary stents in the health care system, advance notifications must be given to all civil servants, including guidelines as to which centres do not require deposits, and also protocol about payments and claims.
Some civil servants have no personal health insurance, since they are of the understanding that GLs will cover them and their family members.
Coronary stents are covered by the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom. Stents are provided free of charge at the point of use for all British residents, including civil servants. The same situation exists in Brazil through its Unified Health System.
Treat the civil service well, for they are the backbone of the country, even if governments might change every other election.
The author is a physician at a hospital in Peninsular Malaysia. CodeBlue is providing the author anonymity as civil servants are prohibited from writing to the press.
Correction note: The seventh paragraph was corrected to state that IJN provided free stents with GLs seven to eight years ago.
- This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of CodeBlue.
