KUALA LUMPUR: The Galen Center for Health and Social Policy has expressed concern over proposed amendments to citizenship provisions of the Federal Constitution that will worsen health inequities to stateless individuals.
Its chief executive Azrul Mohd Khalib said stateless individuals are automatically deprived of basic rights, including the right to health particularly affecting children if the regressive amendments were passed.
"If passed, certain individuals will be stripped of their citizenship, creating newly marginalised groups and widening the already significant gap in health equity among vulnerable populations, including infants and children."
He said in Malaysia, public and private health services are generally accessible to all, even if a person is of undetermined status.
"However, as anyone who has been stateless or is currently living with that status, real life access and care may be altogether different.
"Such individuals and their caregivers would be subject to paying non-citizens fees at public hospitals and more likely pay out of their pockets for medical treatment.
"It is not likely that they would have health insurance. Any sickness or injury, however minor, could be costly and prohibitive. As a result, those who are stateless or caring for such individuals may be fearful of having to pay high hospital and treatment bills."
This financial burden, he cautioned, could deter them from seeking care until it becomes necessary, leading to increased health risks and costs.
"Additionally, they encounter racism, discrimination, and xenophobia while trying to access critical health services or information," he added.
Azrul emphasised the regressive nature of the proposed amendments, specifically the requirement to register foundlings within one year as they could render children stateless due to various factors, suggesting a separate vote for amendments to safeguard vulnerable children against statelessness.
"However, we support the proposal to amend Article 14(1)(b) of the Federal Constitution to recognise gender equality by allowing Malaysian women to confer citizenship to their children born overseas on an equal basis with men," he said
Azrul added that the cabinet and members of Parliament must base their decisions on compassion, dignity, common sense, and humanitarianism.