Dr Annuar: Decision to close K1Ms could lead to congestion
SIBU: The services of 1Malaysia Clinics ( K1Ms) are still needed as some double up as Part Supply Medicine Collection Centres ( PPUSS) to help ease congestion at polyclinics and hospitals.
Assistant Minister of Housing and Public Health Dr Annuar Rapaee says the provision of such service ought to be among the criteria considered by the Health Ministry in its decision to close 34 out of 347 K1Ms nationwide.
“The closure of one ( K1M) clinic may cause congestion in other clinics. The idea of this clinic is not only to provide facilities to the B40 ( lower income group) but also to disperse patients ( at hospitals and polyclinics) to ease congestion in getting their supply of medications.
“So, I think this should also be taken into account rather than just the number of patients attending a particular clinic,” he said yesterday.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkef ly Ahmad on Saturday explained that the decision to close the 34 K1Ms was made after taking into account that the closure would have minimal impact on the local communities concerned.
He said the average number of patients was among the criteria used to decide on the closure of a K1M, as well as the presence of other government health facilities within five kilometres of the said clinic.
Dr Dzulkef ly also said the government was very concerned about the welfare of the B40, hence the decision not to close K1Ms at public housing projects even though those clinics served fewer than 40 patients a day.
Sibu currently has 10 K1Ms – Campus Park ( Wawasan Road), Sungai Bidut, Teku, Rajang Park, Soon Hup Garden (Permai), Salim Road (Farley- Sentosa), Sibu Jaya, Bandong Road, Rantau Panjang, and Urban Transformation Centre ( UTC). All were open as of yesterday.
Meanwhile, on rabies, Dr Annuar said he did not agree with Bukit Assek assemblywoman Irene Chang’s view that the Sarawak government had ‘ lost control’ in the fight to control the outbreak.
He pointed out that rabies is a zoonotic disease which required the concerted efforts of everyone – Health Department, Department of Veterinary Services, local councils, pet owners and the public – to combat the situation.
“Everyone is doing their level best to curb the spread of rabies. So I don’t agree with her (Chang) that it (efforts so far) is a failure, because there are many factors involved,” he said.
The closure of one (K1M) clinic may cause congestion in other clinics. The idea of this clinic is not only to provide facilities to the B40 (lower income group) but also to disperse patients (at hospitals and polyclinics) to ease congestion in getting their supply of medications. Dr Annuar Rapaee, Assistant Minister of Housing and Public Health