THE Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) has objected the government’s decision to close 19 Health Ministry Training Institutes (ILKKM) since July this year.

Cuepacs president Azih Mudah said the decision would affect health services nationwide, in addition to the livelihood of the institutes’ staff.

“Cuepacs regrets the decision because, for a long time, ILKKM has produced skilled workers for the health services industry. However, this opportunity is no longer available.

“I don’t know if there are any private parties interested in helping them,” he said at a press conference attended by 20 unions under the Health Ministry at Wisma Cuepacs in Kuala Lumpur today.

Of the 33 existing ILKKMs, the government will only maintain 14 by 2021.

In the first phase, nine ILKKMs were closed in Pasir Mas, Kulim, Port Dickson, Serian, Jerantut, Segamat, Kluang, Batu Rakit and one in Penang. The closures took place in stages beginning in July.

According to Azih, 375 staff members were affected as a result of the closures, and some had been relocated far from home.

“We understand that these 375 staff members were transferred everywhere but, prior to the closures, they said they wanted to be transferred nearby but were apparently moved to another state.

“Even when they were transferred within their home state, it doesn’t make sense that some of them were given different jobs than they did before,” he said.

Azih said he would meet Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad to review the decision.

“We urge the health minister to review the proposed closure of the 19 ILKKM for the benefit of the staff and employees under the ministry,” he said. – October 4, 2019.