Dr Solehin proposes subsidised ambulance service, free house calls in Bemban

Dr Muhamad Solehin Saleh, the candidate for Bersama's Bemban constituency, has proposed a subsidized non-emergency ambulance service and free house calls as part of his 10 Pledges for the area. The initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden of medical transport costs for senior citizens and low-income families in the semi-urban constituency.

The plan draws inspiration from the Ambulans Marhaen model, which Solehin operates from his clinic in Merlimau. The service will cater to non-critical needs like dialysis sessions and routine follow-up appointments, with families charged only for fuel, instead of the standard commercial rates that start at RM350. Solehin's decision to limit charges to fuel costs will significantly ease the day-to-day burden on bedridden patients and their caregivers.

The local demographic trends, with senior citizens accounting for 25% of Bemban's population, necessitate practical, localized solutions. He has also pledged to offer home visits without consultation fees to improve access for residents who cannot move around easily. Although the team currently operates just one vehicle, handling four to five trips daily, they plan to expand services through community wellness centers instead of opening private clinics.

Homebound patients will only pay for prescribed medication, as opposed to the RM150 to RM300 typically charged for standard consultations. Solehin highlights the emotional and financial strain on the sandwich generation who work outside the state while managing eldercare responsibilities at home. He emphasizes that affordable primary care is a direct public necessity, not a campaign luxury.

Observing the challenges faced by bedridden and elderly patients in villages who urgently need follow-up hospital visits, Solehin asserts his commitment to bring welfare to the people of Bemban. The constituency is mixed, with 60% Malay, 21% Chinese, and 17% Indian voters.