PENANG, 1 April 2015 - The Hospital USM (HUSM) at the Health Campus in Kelantan has yet to impose additional service charges on patients even as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) comes into effect today.

The Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman explained that although HUSM being a teaching hospital has yet to be accorded GST exemption, service charges to patients are still maintained at the same rates, however this is subject to future changes and directives from the relevant authorities.

“Currently, we do not have plans to increase charges and as such we hope that the relevant authorities will take into consideration HUSM’s function as a teaching hospital, part of an educational institution,” said Omar.

HUSM is a teaching hospital which provides training for undergraduate and postgraduate students in Medical Science, Dental Science and Health Science; at the same time it shares expertise in medicine and health aspects with the local community, especially those in the East Coast.

In line with the implementation of GST, USM has opened up special counters, via its Bursary Department, at the Main campus in Penang, the Engineering campus in Nibong Tebal and the Health campus in Kelantan.

“These counters will provide GST-related assistance at the respective campuses to ensure that everything goes smoothly,” Omar added. - Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin/Text: Mohamad bin Abdullah