1MALAYSIA clinics are in for either an overhaul or closure for certain outlets after Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad gets a full briefing on it today. (Wednesday)
This will end speculation that the basic healthcare service started by the previous Barisan Nasional government would be shut down, following Pakatan Harapan’s takeover of the federal government.
The new administration, under Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, has said it would scrap the 1Malaysia slogan and brand name introduced by the Najib Razak government, which was ousted in the May 9 polls.
Dzulkefly told The Malaysian Insight the direction of the clinics would be clearer after he was briefed on their current operation status nationwide.
He confirmed that the initiative was under review.
“
“We will study everything in the briefing early tomorrow (today),” he told The Malaysian Insight yesterday.
After being appointed minister, Dzulkefly had said that the clinics would be rebranded Klinik Rakyat (People’s Clinic) and improved upon, such as by having doctors on staff.
Most 1Malaysia clinics are run by medical assistants and nurses.
The RM10 million initiative was launched in 2010 to provide basic treatment for fevers and colds, as well as minor wounds at only RM1, or free for senior citizens. There are more than 35 branches nationwide, with seven mobile ones running on buses and four using boats in the interior of Sabah and Sarawak.
Checks on several 1Malaysia clinics in the Klang Valley by The Malaysian Insight found that staff working there believed operations would be stopped.
“We all heard the clinics will be shut down. We just don’t know when. For now, we are open and operate as usual,” said Nur Mashitah, who works at a 1Malaysia clinic in Shah Alam.
Another staff member at a 1Malaysia clinic in Pandamaran, Klang, said closing the clinics might burden the people.
“I hear this clinic will be closed because there is already a (government) clinic in the area.
“If that happens, then I pity the residents. They will have to go elsewhere. The government clinic near here is always packed,” said the employee, who declined to be named.
At a 1Malaysia clinic in Senawang, Negri Sembilan, a staff member said he believed the new government would not shut down all the clinics.
The worker, who only wanted to be known as Kamal, said closures were more likely to affect those that had few patients or high operating costs.
“What I hear is that branches with very few patients and those paying high rental will be closed,” he said.
Kamal’s branch serves an average 50 patients a day or up to 1,500 a month.
Staff members met by The Malaysian Insight said so far, there had been no official circulars from the Health Ministry on the fate of the clinics.
They are, however, largely unconcerned about their jobs, as, because they are civil servants, they expect to be transferred to government hospitals or other medical centres.
Dzulkefly had also previously said that staff members of 1Malaysia clinics would not lose their government jobs. – June 27, 2018.
History, propaganda are no bedfellows
Penang Institute wants to draw locals back to lit fest
Honouring the spirit of Malaysia 1963
Umno bukan lagi pemain politik negara, kata penganalisis
Comments
Posted 7 years ago by Alina Ariffin · Reply
Posted 7 years ago by Malaysian First · Reply
Removing these leeches is of utmost priority.
Posted 7 years ago by Ramamurthi ram · Reply
The facilities can be rebranded as Klinik Rakyat or whatever, be adequately staffed and be run from
Posted 7 years ago by Thai Englang · Reply
Posted 7 years ago by Thai Englang · Reply