PETALING JAYA: A vape business owner has resigned from the Hospital Rembau's visitors board after his appointment courted controversy.
Datuk Adzwan Abdul Manas said that he had decided to step down, although he accepted the position to help strengthen two-way communication between patients and the hospital.
"However, after reflecting on the potential impact and negative perception due to my involvement in the vape business, I have decided to relinquish the post," he said in a statement on Facebook, which was later taken down.
"It was not the Health Ministry's fault for issuing the appointment letter, rather it was my own shortcoming, as I believed the intention behind the appointment was genuinely for the benefit of the people.
"Once again, I would like to stress that I have stepped down from the position for everyone's sake.
"This is in line with the responsibility of the board in managing and ensuring all health policies are planned at the national level synchronise well," he had said in the statement.
According to the Health Ministry, each hospital would have a visitors board of up to 20 members, of which 25% are independent members and the remaining 75% are directly appointed by the Health Minister.
The board serves as a bridge between the hospital and the community and is tasked to explain to the public about the services offered by the hospital, organise visits to the hospital to identify the challenges faced in terms of service delivery and patient welfare, coordinate financial aid and donations and help with organising community activities.
According to a Health Ministry circular dated March 10, 25% of the members would come from professional backgrounds such as entrepreneurs, professionals or community representatives who have been approved by the hospital director.
The hospital director would notify the minister’s office via the state Health director on the appointment.
The board members are required to have knowledge in healthcare and their tenure on the board will last for three years.
Their membership will be revoked if the board member no longer lives in the state where the hospital is located.
To be appointed to the board, an individual would have to be a Malaysian citizen, be physically and mentally fit, have no criminal record, not be bankrupt and not be an MP or state assemblyman.
