Monday, April 02, 2012

Private clinics want to go 1Malaysia way

The Star SEREMBAN: Private clinics are keen to adopt the services currently provided by the 1Malaysia clinics and have spoken to the Government about it.

“They recently met me and I have told them to submit a comprehensive proposal as to how this can work,” Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said.

He was speaking to reporters after opening a 1Malaysia clinic in Taman Bukit Mika, near here, yesterday.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak mooted the concept in his 2010 Budget as part of the Government's People First, Performance Now pledge to provide immediate healthcare to housing areas in need of basic health services.

Since the first 1Malaysia clinic opened in Lembah Pantai, Kuala Lumpur, in December 2009, more than 100 such clinics have opened nationwide.

The community clinics are strategically located and open 12 hours daily from 10am, with qualified nurses and medical assistants providing treatment for just RM1 (non-Malaysians pay RM15).

Liow said another 50 1Malaysia clinics would be opened this year.

He added that his ministry would station doctors at 1Malaysia clinics which treat more than 100 patients daily.

He added that although senior medical assistants who currently man these facilities, were competent, it was better to station doctors where the patient volume is highest.

“This is important as these clinics help reduce congestion at government hospitals and at other health facilities,” said Liow, adding that patients could, among other things, seek treatment for flu, cough and fever and have minor wounds dressed at 1Malaysia clinics.

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