PETALING JAYA, Jan 10 — The Selangor government has asked the Health Ministry to review its contract with Radicare (M) Sdn Bhd.
Selangor executive councillor for health, entrepreneurship development, science and innovation for health Dr Daroyah Alwi said it was time for the ministry to review the contract, given the recent decision by Radicare to terminate its contract with a sanitation service sub-contractor had resulted in five hospitals in the state facing major hygiene issues.
“If Radicare said it terminated Alam Bersih Sdn Bhd’s contract because the company was not able to carry out its job, then it goes to show that Radicare has been negligent,” she said.
“They (Radicare) should have carried out proper background checks on Alam Bersih before hiring them.
“The company has put public health at risk as a result of its negligence.”
Dr Daroyah said the ministry should review Radicare’s contract and allow other companies to bid for the work to avoid a monopoly.
“Hospital operators should have their own sanitation department or be able to engage small companies to carry out the job,” she added.
Selangor health department director Dr Azman Abu Bakar said five out of 10 hospitals were affected by Radicare’s decision to terminate its agreement with the sub-contractor, leaving medical staff in the affected hospitals to take over cleaning duties.
“It’s ridiculous as my medical staff were forced to sweep the floor, clean toilets and discard thrash, among other things,” he said.
“Banting Hospital was the worst hit as there was only one worker on duty instead of the usual 35.”
Dr Azman said the department will not hesitate to take action against Radicare for the fiasco.
Government hospital cleaning contractor Radicare Sdn Bhd moved yesterday to assure the public the situation at hospitals in Selangor would be back to normal today.
A spokesman said it had re-appointed its former sub-contractor Harta Maintenance Sdn Bhd to carry out cleaning services.
“As of now, Harta Maintenance will take up its former responsibilities and operate according to the ministry’s health and safety regulations.
“Alam Bersih lacked the manpower to deal with the demand and workload at certain hospitals. They also lack the skills to dispose of clinical waste.”
The spokesman, however, decline to comment on why the company had appointed Alam Bersih to carry out the job in the first place.
Radicare began offering sanitation and waste disposal services to hospitals nationwide in 1996.
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