PRIVATE hospitals in the Klang Valley will cease operations as public vaccination centres (PPV) this month in line with instructions from the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF), the Association of Private Hospitals (APHM) said today. 

Its president, Dr Kuljit Singh said this would be applicable to vaccination centres within private hospitals.

Private hospitals’ participation in mega PPVs have also been stopped by CITF.

“We in private hospitals will abide by all policies and directions given by the government in the process of vaccination and managing this epidemic,” Kuljit said, adding that APHM will always be ready to lend support to the government when requested. 

“(We) will not question or dispute the arrangements made by all the government stakeholders,” he added, thanking the Health Ministry and ProtectHealth Sdn Bhd, which organised the PPVs, as well as the Science, Innovative and Technology Ministry for giving private hospitals the opportunity to vaccinate close to 1.5 million citizens and non-citizens.

Kuljit said selected private hospitals would now offer private vaccination for those who require them at their request and would also be prepared in the event of booster doses in the future. 

“Our plea is to have a wider range of vaccine types made available to the paying patients, which will further strengthen the herd immunity,” he said.

He said this will decrease the hesitancy when the public is given a choice to pick the type of vaccine.

Private hospitals outside the Klang Valley will also focus on enhancing vaccinations and decanting of patients after close to 2,000 patients have been decanted in the Greater Klang Valley.

Kuljit said APHM will continue to work closely with all the new ministers in overcoming this outbreak as soon as possible. – August 23, 2021.