KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The Health Ministry has explained that the decision to close 34 out of 347 1Malaysia Clinics (K1M) was made after taking into account that it will have a minimal impact on the local communities concerned.
Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said on Saturday (Dec 15) the government was very concerned about the welfare of the lower income group (B40), and therefore, K1Ms established at public housing projects (PPR) were not closed despite having fewer than 40 patients a day.
He said the average number of patients was among the criteria used to decide on the closure of a K1M, as well as taking into account the presence of other government health facilities within 5km of the said clinic.
He added that although the ministry had set the criteria, each K1M selected for closure will also be exclusively evaluated to ensure it is the right decision.
"After a comprehensive assessment process, a total of 34 K1Ms will be closed as they fulfil these criteria," he said in response to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's statement regarding the closure of the clinics on Facebook.
Dr Dzulkefly said his ministry will be using the "soft landing" approach to close the clinics, that is to wait until the leases expire on the premises, while staff will be relocated to other health clinics.
In the meantime, he said a total of 293 K1Ms will be "value added" to become community clinics, namely with the addition of medical officers and pharmacists at selected facilities, while 20 will be upgraded to become Health Clinics.
Meanwhile, in IPOH, Dr Dzulkefly said the Community Clinic, which replaces K1M, is expected to be launched in the middle of next year and the ministry was in the process of getting the allocation for it.
He was met by reporters at the 2018 Parti Amanah Negara Convention Saturday (Dec 15) after visiting blood donors in a campaign held in conjunction with the convention at the Casuarina Convention Centre in Meru. – Bernama
