Critical illnesses can strike anyone, oftentimes without warning. Our modern lifestyles and diets may increase our risk of developing common illnesses.
Let’s look at the some of the most common critical illnesses in Malaysia and how much they can cost in terms of treatment, surgery and more.
Ischemic heart disease
Causes: Build-up of plaque and cholesterol in the heart arteries and inflammation of the arteries.
Symptoms: Chest pain, dizziness, heart palpitations (feels like your heart is skipping a beat), shortness of breath, and swollen ankles and feet.
Treatment cost: Around RM30,000 for a common angioplasty and upwards of RM70,000 for bypass surgery.
Cerebrovascular diseases (stroke)
Causes: High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, and cigarette smoking (even secondhand smoke exposure).
Symptoms: Dizziness, nausea, or vomiting, unusually severe headache, numbness on one side of the body, abnormal/slurred speech, difficulty with comprehension and more.
Treatment cost: An average of RM40,000 per admission for stroke.
Lung Cancer
Causes: Cigarette smoking, passive smoking, exposure to hazardous substances like asbestos, cadmium, and nickel, and air pollution.
Symptoms: Coughing up blood, a cough that doesn’t go away easily, trouble breathing, chest pain, wheezing, hoarseness, loss of appetite.
Treatment cost: Upwards of RM56,000 for treatment of lung cancer, including trachea and bronchus.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Causes: Abnormal build-up of protein in the brain, mainly due to obesity, depression, high cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Symptoms: Inability to communicate, mood swings, distrust in others, social withdrawal, anger and aggression.
Treatment cost: Ranges between RM12,000 to RM19,000 annually for a single person.
Kidney Failure
Causes: Diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune diseases like lupus, genetic diseases, and nephrotic syndrome.
Symptoms: Decreased urine output, fluid retention, foamy, frothy, or bubbly-looking urine, muscle cramps, itchy skin/rashes and more.
Treatment cost: Upwards of RM29,000 to RM40,000 a year for dialysis.
Sign up for eCritical Early Care today. This plan covers 50 Early and Advanced critical illness conditions from as low as RM16*/month. A critical illness plan provides you with the financial security in the event of a critical illness diagnosis to give support during your recovery stage.
*Terms and conditions apply
Sources:
World Health Organisation. MALAYSIA Public Health Data at a Glance. (2019).
CVSKL. Heart Disease in Malaysia - CVSKL. (27 July 2022).
Ringgitplus. (11 January 2019). How Much Do The Most Common Critical Illnesses In Malaysia Cost?
Boo Su-Lyn. (2 December 2022). Malaysian Stroke Patients Bear Most Long-Term Care, Disability Costs: Galen. CodeBlue.
Ringgitplus. (2 October 2018). Cancer Treatment In Malaysia: How Much Does It Cost?
Koris, R. (2018). UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA ECONOMIC BURDEN OF DEMENTIA AND HEALTHCARE COSTS OF DEMENTED ELDERLY IN MALAYSIA
CodeBlue. (21 March 2023). Reducing The Burden Of Kidney Disease And Dialysis In Malaysia — Prof Lim Soo Kun.
