HEALTH Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad promised today that 58 dilapidated clinics in Sabah will be repaired this year.
He said RM21.5 million has been set aside for the repairs, which are in progress.
"Three clinics have been completed with 55 more to go. This underscores our commitment to addressing the issue of dilapidated clinics across the country.
“We aim to complete them before the end of 2024. There will be no rollover to 2025," he said at the launch of Malaria, Tuberculosis, and Leprosy Day, in Kota Kinabalu, today.
Dzulkefly said that RM10.8 million was spent on repairing 23 clinics last year, 19 of which have been completed.
Four more clinics are slated for completion this year, he said.
There remained 401 dilapidated clinics in Malaysia, for which RM150 million been earmarked for their reconstruction and repairs.
As of April, six clinics have been repaired with 208 more in the implementation phase, he said.
Dzulkefly said the clinics offers treatment to everyone, including illegal immigrants, who needs it.
"Anyone seeking treatment at our facilities will receive it. Failure to treat them could lead to them becoming carriers."
He acknowledged the risk of diseases such as tuberculosis brought imported by foreigners.
Sabah reported the highest number of tuberculosis cases in Malaysia last year, at 5,814. Up to 40% of leprosy and malaria cases in the country were reported in Sabah. – May 12, 2024
