Health Ministry Proposes To Privatise Ambulance Service

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 (Bernama) -- The attitude of drivers and lack of trained personnel have driven the Health Ministry to privatise the ambulance service in government hospitals.
Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said his ministry had sent a proposal to the Economic Planning Unit in the Prime Minister's Department in June and was awaiting approval.
He said the ambulance service was a headache to his ministry as a new vehicle would often break down after only four years in service due to poor handling and maintenance.
"Because of this, the ministry feels it is better to rent the ambulances or pay for the services of privately-run ones," he said when asked on public complaints about the poor ambulance service in government hospitals.
Government hospital ambulances are said to be late in arriving at places of emergency and are inefficient.
There are 1,000 ambulances in government hospitals nationwide, with 800 new ones to be bought under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.
Dr Chua, however, said a large fleet of ambulances would not necessarily guarantee quality service.
"It's like being in a restaurant. The presence of many waiters and waitresses does not mean your food will arrive fast," he added.
Earlier, Dr Chua launched the "Special Discounted Indemnity Insurance Scheme for Young Medical Doctors" where he also presented a cheque for RM10,000 from the Malaysian Medical Association to the family of the late Dr Norbaizura Yahya.
Dr Norbaizura, 24, who was attached to Tuanku Ja'afar Hospital in Seremban, died two weeks ago after being in coma for 16 days following an accident involving an ambulance in Bangi.