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SHAH ALAM: The Selangor government said there are 3,585 registered tuberculosis (TB) patients living in the state.
The chairwoman of the Committee on Health, Welfare, Women’s and Family Empowerment, Dr. Siti Mariah Mahmud (PH-Seri Serdang), told the state assembly that this figure only covers Malaysians and not foreigners.
He said that the highest number of TB cases recorded is in Petaling district (949), followed by Hulu Langat (799), Klang (599), Gombak (583), Kuala Langat (181), Hulu Selangor (152) , Kuala Selangor (135), Sepang (129) and Sabak Bernam (58).
“The health ministry at the federal level conducts active case detection and contact tracing if positive cases are found in an area.
“For us, we provide an incentive of RM800 to TB patients, to cover the cost of traveling to the hospital or clinics for treatment.
“Medical officials have told us that many patients do not complete their six-month treatment because they cannot afford the cost of the trip,” he said.
In another question, Leong Tuck Chee (PH-Pandamaran) asked how the state government will address TB cases among non-Malaysians. He said that if it is not treated, “we fear that tuberculosis will catch us.”
Siti Mariah said the state government will review the RM800 subsidy policy with the state health department, as the payment only applies to citizens.
“They have to pay the cost of the treatment required by the Ministry of Health. We will not hesitate to help you if there are positive cases.
“For now, some NGOs are running clinics for these patients and if they refer them to us, we will do what we can to help slow the spread of tuberculosis among them,” he said.
