By Nasuha Badrul Huzaini
SHAH ALAM, Dec 11 — A significant increase of RM8.5 million budget allocation to improve public health under the 2022 Selangor Budget is deemed as a balanced approach to benefit the people and economy.
Bank Islam Berhad chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said one of the worries in facing Covid-19 pandemic is that people have been fixated on only one disease, which is the coronavirus.
“In reality, there are many other life-threatening diseases either communicable disease or non-communicable disease such as cardiovascular and cancer.
“Under the Selangor budget, there is a specific allocation to address cardiovascular-related disease in the ‘Skim Rawatan Jantung’ (heart treatment scheme) with a total allocation of RM5 million aside from the budget for the health screening programme amounting to RM1.5 million.
“Not to mention the food nutrition programme for the school-going children which involves a total allocation of RM1 million.
“I think the state government is taking a balanced approach not to be fixated with Covid-19 but also to look at other health issues that could jeopardise and affect the productivity of Selangor citizens in respect to their healthcare condition,” he said
Afzanizam said this during ‘Table Talk’ show titled ‘2022 Selangor Budget: On Managing Risk, Building Resilience’ broadcast live on Media Selangor social media platforms last night
On November 26, the state government had shown its commitment to fighting the Covid-19 pandemic by allocating RM65 million to improving public health under its 2022 budget.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said this is an increase of RM8.5 million from last year’s budget of RM56.5 million.
He said this would ensure the continuation of the initiatives that were started this year and highlight the state’s guarantee that it will protect the lives and livelihoods of the people as a key development plan.
Amirudin said the allocation was motivated by the state government’s belief in the need for easy access to good public healthcare, which will improve living standards, individual productivity, and the local economy.
