SARIKEI: The Health Ministry ought to implement short-term solutions as it awaits funds to build a new health clinic here to solve problems besieging Sarikei Polyclinic.
Sarikei MP Andrew Wong Ling Biu, who made the suggestion, said he accepted Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr. S. Subramaniam’s explanation that the proposed new clinic had to be put on hold due to the unavailability of funds, but he did not offer short-term solutions to problems facing folks here.
“In answering my question, the minister mentioned a plan to rent four units of shop lots for the Child and Maternity clinic, operate a mobile clinic to serve Selalang area as folks there awaits a permanent clinic, upgrade electricity supply at the present polyclinic, and to purchase an ultrasound machine.
“But he did not state when all these will become a reality.”
As space constraint is a major factor that hindered facility upgrading at the present polyclinic, Wong suggested the old hospital building be made good use of rather than leaving it idle.
To address congestion problems, Wong suggested that service at the 1Malaysia Clinic at Jakar Bazaar be upgraded, adding he was told that clinic was underutilised.
“If the Health Department assigns a doctor to Jakar 1Malaysia Clinic instead of just a medical assistant, I believe many patients will patronise it, hence reduce congestion at the polyclinic.”
In term of manpower at Sarikei Polyclinic, Wong believed the seven doctors, including a specialist, could provide quality service to the public.
He hoped other supporting staff, including three pharmacists, 10 assistant medical officers, 14 trained nurses, 36 community nurses, 8 assistant pharmacists, 10 laboratory staff, two X-ray staff, and eight health care assistants would execute their services professionally.