THE Health Ministry (MOH) has spent RM8.128 million on the procurement of medical equipment, especially for the management of bodies related to Covid-19 deaths, at the forensic departments of its hospitals nationwide, from last year up till September 10.

Deputy Health Minister II, Aaron Ago Dagang, said that of the total, RM6.5 million was spent on the storage of bodies of Covid-19 patients at hospitals.

“In 2020, we spent about RM898,000, and this year (so far) it is RM7.2 million,” he said in a Q&A session at the Dewan Negara today.

He was responding to a question from Senator Juhanis Abd Aziz on the amount of special allowance for healthcare personnel that had been spent, as well as the allocation amount spent for the storage of bodies related to COVID-19 deaths at hospitals.

Earlier, Aaron said that the rate of special Covid-19 allowances for frontliners, doctors and healthcare personnel from various categories involved in the management of dealing with the Covid-19 epidemic, had been increased from RM400 to RM600 per month.

“In total, until September 30, 2021, the MOH has spent a total of RM916 million for the payment of special allowances to MOH staff, involving about 1.7 million claims.

“This special allowance is also given to civil servants involved in the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, which has also been increased to RM600 per month,” he added. – Bernama, October 21, 2021.