KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has proposed making health insurance or another form of medical protection compulsory for refugees and asylum seekers registered under the Refugee Registration Document (DPP).

Deputy Health Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib said the proposal would ensure their medical treatment was covered and prevent further arrears from accumulating.

"The ministry is of the view that a long-term solution to the issue of outstanding medical bills involving non-citizen patients requires a cross-ministry and inter-agency approach," she said when winding up the debate on the Auditor General's Report 2/2026 for the Health Ministry in the Dewan Rakyat.

Hanifah said inter-agency cooperation through a whole-of-government approach, particularly involving the Immigration Department, Home Ministry and Foreign Ministry, was needed as a cross-ministry mechanism.