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Kota Kinabalu: A major relief is coming for thousands of patients nationwide, especially in Sabah’s far-flung areas, as the Federal Government takes over all delivery costs under the Ubat Melalui Pos (UMP) service starting next month.

Yayasan Pengguna Negara Malaysia (YPNM) Sabah hailed the move as a timely “lifeline” for vulnerable groups — senior citizens, persons with disabilities, chronic illness patients and rural residents — who previously had to bear delivery charges or travel long distances just to collect repeat prescriptions.

Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil announced that about 80,000 patients each month would be covered under the enhanced scheme, with the full annual cost of RM5.69 million absorbed jointly by the Ministry of Communications and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

The programme is a partnership between the Ministry of Health and MCMC, and will apply across every state.

“This is far more than just free delivery — it is a bold step toward fairer healthcare access,” said YPNM Sabah Chairman David Chan.

With fuel prices and travel costs still unpredictable, removing delivery fees directly eases the rising cost-of-living pressure on families who need medicine every single month,” he added.

Beyond savings, David said the upgraded service means fewer long journeys, less waiting time at hospitals and clinics, and safer, uninterrupted treatment for patients in remote interior areas of Sabah — places where travel can take hours or even half-a-day each way.

“It also promises a secondary benefit: fewer vehicles on the road, easing urban congestion and lowering carbon footprints — aligning with wider sustainability goals”.

YPNM Sabah also highlighted that the model shows how cross-ministry cooperation — between health, communications and delivery partners — can deliver smarter public services.

The foundation urged the Ministry of Health and MCMC to monitor service quality closely, and to progressively widen eligibility so that even more Sabahans, particularly in deep rural districts, are included.

“Good healthcare shouldn’t depend on how far you live from a clinic,” Chan added. 

“UMP sets a strong example — and we hope it becomes the benchmark for all future people-centred initiatives.”

YPNM also reminded the public that combining such schemes with greater use of public transport can further reduce household spending.