MINISTER DEFENDS CLINICS’ CLOSURE
Shutdown of 34 1Malaysia Clinics to have minimal impact on local communities, says Dr Dzulkefly
THE Health Ministry yesterday said the decision to close 34 out of 347 1Malaysia Clinics was made after taking into account that it will have a minimal impact on the local communities concerned.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, said the government was concerned about the welfare of the Below 40 lowincome group, and therefore, 1Malaysia Clinics established at People’s Housing Projects were not closed despite having fewer than 40 patients a day.
He said the average number of patients was among the criteria used to decide on the closure of a 1Malaysia Clinic, as well as taking into account the presence of other government health facilities within 5km of the said clinic.
He added that although the ministry had set the criteria, each 1Malaysia Clinic selected to be shut down would be evaluated to en- sure it was the right decision.
“After assessment, 34 1Malaysia Clinics will be closed as they fulfil these criteria,” he said in response to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s Facebook statement regarding the closure of the clinics.
Dr Dzulkefly said the ministry would use the “soft landing” to close the clinics, which was until the premises leasing period expired, while staff would be moved to other clinics.
He said 293 1Malaysia Clinics would become community clinics, namely with the addition of medical officers and pharmacists at selected facilities, while 20 would be upgraded as health clinics.
In Ipoh, Dr Dzulkefly said community clinics, which replaced 1Malaysia Clinics, were expected to be launched in the middle of next year
He added that the ministry was getting the allocation for its implementation.
He said this at the Parti Amanah Negara Convention on Friday after visiting blood donors in a campaign held in conjunction with the convention at the Casuarina Convention Centre in Meru.