KUCHING: The government’s concern on public health is apparent by the setting up of the 1Malaysia clinics although there is still room for improvement to make them well stocked.
Assistant Minister of Public Health Dr Jerip Susil said Malaysia was one of the most fortunate countries in the world because it had spent a large amount of money to support medical and health care services.
“Budgetary expenses are allocated to provide free medical and health care services and provide various subsidies on pharmaceutical products, hospitals and health clinics including the supply of manpower like doctors and nurses,” he said when met recently.
He, however, noted that overcrowding in government hospitals, especially in the urban areas, was a major concern.
He thus said that the 1Malaysia clinics couldn’t have come at a more opportune time “to deal with overcrowding and provide more facilities for the people.”
“Two reasons why 1Malaysia clinics are set up — one to provide more facilities in urban areas, and second, to allow the urban poor to have access to medical and health care services,” he said.
Dr Jerip said facilities available in 1Malaysia clinic were fairly advanced compared to that in many developing nations.
“All these are part and parcel of the government’s efforts to ensure that medical and health services are available to the people in urban areas who cannot afford to go to private clinics.
“Of course there are pros and cons of the 1Malaysia clinics. The good point is that everyone is entitled to make use of facilities which are quite good. On the other hand, the private doctors would not be too happy if everybody patronises the 1Malaysia clinics. There ought to be a balance.
“We realise that not only people from the lower income group visit the 1Malaysia clinics but others who are well off also go there because of the conveniences.
“These are the benefits and disadvantages of the 1Malaysia clinic but overall, it is a good facility,” said Dr Jerip who is also Bengoh assemblyman.