Bukit Mertajam:The government's decision to cover the full delivery costs of the Medicines by Post (UMP) service beginning this month has been met with widespread approval. Many appreciate the financial relief and convenience it offers, particularly for patients who would otherwise need to queue for their medication.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the initiative has been positively received on social media. Users have expressed that the savings on delivery costs provide significant financial relief, especially for chronic patients and the elderly who require continuous treatment.
Threads user Ms Anina shared that she used to spend RM5.60 per delivery, and the waiver of this fee results in substantial long-term savings. She expressed gratitude to the government, highlighting how the cumulative savings add up over multiple deliveries.
Similarly, Neeza Shafri, who has utilized the service from Bukit Mertajam Hospital in Penang for six years, also voiced her appreciation for the government's decision to waive delivery costs. Another user, Yi Wern, noted the convenience of receiving long-term treatment supplies directly at home via Pos Laju.
Acu Dean, another user, encouraged patients to register for the UMP service at their hospital or clinic pharmacy counters, suggesting that the government should refine eligibility criteria to focus on low- and middle-income groups.
The Communications Ministry, through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, has allocated approximately RM5 million to support this initiative for eligible patients under the Health Ministry, starting October 1.
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil has advised the public to avoid being misled by unauthorized parties imposing charges or offering registration services, reminding them that programme registration is free and only available at Health Ministry facility counters.
Introduced in 2011, the UMP service previously charged a delivery fee, but the new national initiative is set to benefit around 80,000 patients monthly, reducing congestion at pharmacy counters in government hospitals and clinics nationwide.