The Pakatan Harapan government has decided to keep the 1Malaysia clinics but it will be rebranded into “Community Clinics”, said Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

The health minister said it will be supplied with doctors and pharmacists.

“The clinics will be given a new name, Community Clinics. This will replace the present 1Malaysia Clinics.

“It is in line with our goal of making these clinics serve communities whether in urban, rural or semi-urban areas,” he said at a press conference today.

Dzulkefly pegged the rebranding and upgrading exercise to cost between RM5 to RM10 million and hoped it would be completed in six months.

He said the ministry will only be upgrading clinics which see more than 50 patients daily and those with premises more than 1,400 square feet.

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.

The Malaysian Insight had highlighted the anxiety of the staff working at the clinic and its future in a report this morning.

https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/57119

He said to ensure quality of service provided the ministry will provide for medical officers and place either a pharmacists or at least an assistant pharmacist at these clinics.

“If they do not meet these criteria, we will close the clinics.” – June 27, 2018.