Sorry, we can't tell you, it's confidential, says EPU

It's a secret, says the government's Economic Planning Unit.

The Coalition has received a reply from the EPU on 27 January 2006 to its letter dated 14 December 2006 (see below).

Basically, they are saying that they will take into consideration the Coalition's suggestions and proposals in appointing the consultants who will be tasked with formulating the national health financing mechanism. The consultants are expected to start work in February 2006. But, sorry, the EPU can't release the Terms of Reference because it is... why, "sulit" (confidential) of course.

If the government is going to be so opaque re the TOR, then can we expect transparent behaviour when it comes to administering the fund, outsourcing services etc?

Here is the letter from the EPU:
EPU Letterhead


24 Januari 2006

Jeyakumar Devaraj
Secretary,
Gabungan Membantah Penswastaan Sistem Kesihatan

Tuan,

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE CONSULTANT FOR THE PROPOSED HEALTH FINANCING SCHEME

Adalah dengan segala hormatnya saya merujuk kepada surat tuan bertarikh 14 Disember 2005 mengenai perkara di atas.

Unit Peranchang Ekonomi (UPE) mengucap terima kasih di atas cadangan dan saranan yang dikemukakan oleh pihak tuan. Sehubungan ini, cadangan dan saranan tersebut akan diambil kira dalam pelantikan juruperunding dan pelaksanaan Skim Pembiayaan Kesihatan Kebangsaan (National Health Financing Scheme) di negara ini. Merujuk kepada permohonan untuk mendapatkan salinan Term of Reference (TOR), UPE tidak dapat mengedarkan TOR tersebut kerana ia adalah dokumen sulit. Untuk makluman pihak tuan juga, juruperunding dijangka akan memulakan kajian pada Februari 2006.

Sekian, terima kasih.

BERKHIDMAT UNTUK NEGARA

Saya yang menurut perintah,

Signed

(Datin Shamsiah Haji Dahaban)
b.p Ketua Pengarah
Unit Perancang Ekonomi. 

These were the Coalition's letters to the EPU and the UNDP asking for the consultants' terms of reference.

Gabungan Membantah Penswastaan Sistem Kesihatan
2A Jln Sitiawan
Lim Gardens
30100 Ipoh

14 December 2005

The Principal Assistant Director
Economic & Planning Unit
Prime Minister’s Department
Putra Jaya

Dear Ms Daisy Rajoo

Terms of Reference for the Consultant for the Proposed Health Financing Scheme

The Forum on Health Financing Reform organized by the Health Coalition on 11th December 2005, went well with about 130 people from a large variety of civil society groups participating. I am enclosing a set of the documents that were given out to the participants that day.

One of the suggestions from the floor was that we should ask for a copy of the Terms of Reference for the Consultant who is supposed to give suggestions as to how the new Health Financing Scheme should be implemented.

Would you be able to let us have a copy of the Terms of Reference? Do let us know.

When do you expect the Consultant to start work?

Please let us know.

With sincere regards

Jeyakumar Devaraj
Secretary
Coalition Against Health Care Privatisation
H/P 019 5616807

---------------------

Gabungan Membantah Penswastaan Sistem Kesihatan
2A Jln Sitiawan,
Lim Gardens
30100 Ipoh

14 December 2005

The Coordinator
UNDP
Kuala Lumpur

Dear Dr Richard Leete

Terms of Reference for the Consultant for the Proposed Health Financing Scheme

The Forum on Health Financing Reform organized by the Health Coalition on 11th December 2005, went well with about 130 people from a large variety of civil society groups participating. I am enclosing a set of the documents that were given out to the participants that day.

One of the suggestions from the floor was that we should ask for a copy of the Terms of Reference for the Consultant who is supposed to give suggestions as to how the new Health Financing Scheme should be implemented.

Would you be able to let us have a copy of the Terms of Reference? Do let us know.

When do you expect the Consultant to start work?

Please let us know.

With sincere regards


Jeyakumar Devaraj.
Coalition Against Health Privatisation
H/P 019 5616807