The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) has called on insurance providers to extend coverage for COVID-19 to their existing policyholders.
According to the MEF, this is part of insurers’ “national duty” in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, state news service Bernama reported.
MEF president Datuk Syed Hussain Syed Husman said that the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Malaysia means insurers should work harder in their role to support the government and their policyholders.
“Employers cannot absorb additional costs passed on to them without insurance coverage,” he said.
“With increasing cases and limited space in government hospitals, the private sector employees infected with COVID-19 have no choice but to utilise the services of private hospitals if so required.”
Syed Hussain expressed concern over reports that insurance companies were not providing coverage for COVID-19 treatment to their existing policyholders. He also suggested that employers who take out insurance policies for their employees should also be covered by said insurance.
“This is the time when we must all come together to stand united in the fight against the pandemic,” he said.
