PRIVATE hospitals in the country will be involved in phases two and three of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme to serve as vaccination centres, said Health Minister Dr Adham Baba.

He said the Ministry of Health (MOH) has agreed to engage private hospitals for the programme based on the principle of vaccine equity where the government will provide free Covid-19 vaccines for all.

He said this is also based on the proposal by the private hospitals to support the government’s efforts to ensure that the immunisation exercise target of having 80% of adult Malaysians vaccinated could be achieved as soon as possible.

“Therefore, the government will provide free vaccines to private hospitals to maximise vaccine distribution to the people,” he said at a press conference on the development of the Covid-19 immunisation programme with Coordinating Minister Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar in Putrajaya today.

He said private hospitals wishing to participate in the programme could register on the website of ProtectHealth Corporation Sdn Bhd at www.protecthealth.com.my beginning today. 

Currently, there are 203 private hospitals in the country.

On March 8, MOH announced the involvement of private general practitioners (GPs) in the second and third phases of the immunisation programme.

Dr Adham said as of yesterday, 2,304 GPs have registered, adding that the GPs and private hospitals will be briefed and given training on the scope of duties in the immunisation programme, apart from a complete guideline and manual on the administration of the Covid-19 vaccine to the target groups. –  Bernama, April 12, 2021.