SEGAMAT – Repair works at six health facilities in Johor, which were severely affected by the floods, are expected to be completed within six months.
Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the six facilities are Chaah health clinic and five rural clinics in Kg Tengah, Kg Jawa, Kg Jabi, Tenang Station and Desa Temu Jodoh, all in Segamat.
“The total damage is estimated at RM1.8 million and the cost of repairing all these facilities is estimated at RM750,000.
“The amount (of allocation) for this purpose has been approved,” she told reporters after visiting the Kg Tengah rural clinic, here, today.
When asked if any facilities are being considered for relocation following the risk of the disaster, she said thus far, only the Kg Tengah rural clinic has been identified to be relocated to a new area.
“In Kg Tengah, the clinic is not only exposed to flooding but it is located close to the road and there has been an accident involving a lorry.
“We have already visited a new site 3km from here, which will be considered, to build a new facility,” said Dr Zaliha.
When asked about the recommendation for the Health Ministry (MoH) to change the contract system for healthcare workers to a system that is independent of the Public Service Department and the Finance Ministry, she said the proposal could be considered.
“My comment is, that’s a good point of view. We can consider it but it’s not something that can be implemented quickly because it involves the service ecosystem itself,” said the Sekijang MP.
On Friday, public health physician and epidemiologist Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar urged MoH to change the system of contract healthcare workers should the ministry intend to improve the quality of the sector.
According to Dr Zainal, the government needs to create an independent system so that the welfare of the group can be improved.
A total of 6,036 medical officers and 890 MoH specialists were reported to have resigned from 2018 to 2022. – Bernama, March 26, 2023
