MySalam compensation for coronavirus infection

PUTRAJAYA, 12 Feb 2020:

Those eligible for the mySalam National Health Protection Scheme infected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) are entitled to claim income replacement of RM50 per day for up to 14 days.

A Finance Ministry official said this when asked by members of the media whether the scheme covered those infected by the 2019-nCoV, when met after the launch of the extended mySalam scheme here yesterday.

The official also said if patients hospitalised for coronavirus developed complications due to the virus, they could submit claims for critical illness – which provided a one-off payment of RM8,000.

Meanwhile, the extended mySalam effective Jan 1 this year covers nine more critical diseases – including polio – bringing the number to 45 illnesses compared to 36 before.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, during the launch, said the extended scheme also involved an increase in age limit to 65 from 55 previously, Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) recipients who are single and disabled persons, and also now the M40 group with an annual gross income of RM100,000 and below.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said there is no need to extend the 14-day quarantine period to 24 days for detection of COVID-19 infection for the time being.

Although there were studies in China saying the incubation period of the virus was 24 days, the ministry, to date, was of the stand that more in-depth studies had to be done on the matter.

“I received input from discussions with the ministry’s experts that setting a 24-day incubation period would have numerous implications, it’s something that is hard for us to accept at this time.

“Various studies will present their findings, but for now we consider them (findings) to be tentative or temporary, until receiving confirmation from us and the World Health Organisation.”

Media today reported the most recent data based on research on more than 1,000 coronavirus patients in China found the incubation period of the virus could reach 24 days instead of 14 days as previously stated.

– Bernama