MIRI – Several private clinics in Sarawak have already depleted their supplies of certain critical vaccines and medicine, said Miri MP Dr Michael Teo Yu Keng.
Dr Teo, who is a medical specialist, said the supply of vaccines for cervical cancer and hepatitis has run dry in various parts of the state.
“From the information I received today, there is an increasing number of private clinics in Sarawak that are desperately in need of new stocks, but they cannot secure any because of critical shortages at the national level,” he told The Vibes.
“Certain medicines are also critically low in supplies among private clinics now.”
“This is a result of a surge in demand from the public in this post-Covid-19 period where there are many cases of illnesses.”
Yesterday, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said private healthcare centres experiencing shortages can apply to obtain medicine from public healthcare facilities in the event of an emergency.
Khairy said the move was aimed at ensuring an adequate supply of medicines at both public and private healthcare centres amid a reported shortage of stock.
However, Dr Teo, who is deputy Sarawak PKR chief, said private practitioners in Sarawak can no longer depend on supplies from national sources.
“The Health Ministry must allow registered health practitioners in Sarawak to buy our own stocks of vaccines and medicines, instead of having to depend on suppliers from the ministry.
“Licensed practitioners in Sarawak know how to import our own stock. We know the best source of supply, either locally in Malaysia or from countries overseas,” he said.
“Unfortunately, the ministry does not allow private practitioners to source for our own stock without their approval.
“We private practitioners have to face a lot of challenges getting enough supplies every month.”
Dr Teo urged Putrajaya to take urgent measures to mitigate the serious woes faced by private practitioners before the situation deteriorates further. – The Vibes, June 14, 2022
