SHAH ALAM, OCT 27: The Prime Minister cum Finance Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak is urged to reinstate Health Ministry’s budget allocation in the 2018 Budget to protect citizens’ health.
Kuala Kedah Member of Parliament, Dr Azman Ismail said, the Government should use tax collection to cover medical costs in the country, not to misuse the money building mega projects that do not benefit citizens.
“All these problems are due to the medical budget cut were RM1 billion was reduced last year.
“This should not happen especially when health is a basic human right under government’s responsibility,” he said in a statement.
Referring to several media reports, Dr Azman said there are some hospitals that are reusing disposable medical items.
He said those items include cardiac nerve and general surgical equipments
such as heart catheter used blood vessels, due to insufficient fund.
“Although the Director-General of Health had explained that these reused items are sterilised beforehand, this is still not the safest practice when preventing infectious diseases.
“This is something serious and worrying as it is a life-risk to patients. Doctors job is to protect and save patients but how do they do that without adequate equipment?” he said.
Dr Azman added that most government hospitals are facing problem supplying medicine to patients, forcing them to buy medicines from outside, and Health Minister, Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam had also admitted.
“Just imagine what it is like for patients who come from poor families and cannot afford to buy their own medicine?” he questioned.
Najib urged to reinstate health allocation
