KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry welcomes Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's statement that proposed cuts of RM3.04bil to its budget would not involve recruitment and the construction of clinics.
Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said that he had instructed the Ministry's secretary-general to submit proposals on where cuts can be made.
“I have instructed the secretary-general and the team to immediately submit proposals. If cuts need to be made, it will only involve matters that are not core services or related to human resources.
“We really hope that there won't be any cuts made but it should not come from the core essential services involving the interests of the public,” he said.
Dzulkefly said this at a press conference following a site visit to the Menjalara Health Clinic project on Monday (May 4), which was also attended by the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh.
He added that some cuts can be made but hoped that there will be no cuts to the big and important things.
On the construction of the clinic, Dzukefly said a total cost of RM85,900,700 has been approved for the project under the 13th Malaysia Plan is in line with the ministry’s Facilities Master Plan 2024-2045.
The site area for this project is 0.83ha and will be implemented by the Public Works Department's health works branch. It is expected to be completed in January 2032
It is set to benefit 256,000 residents covering the Segambut parliamentary constituency and parts of the Batu and Damansara constituencies as well as 100,000 people living in Menjalara.
“The Menjalara Health Clinic will include Outpatient Clinic services, Mother and Child Clinic, Dental Clinic, Emergency, Radiology, Laboratory, Pharmacy, Rehabilitation, Methadone, Infection Control Clinic and other clinical support services.
“It will provide various services under one roof, enabling residents around Menjalara to receive treatment services in a more holistic and efficient manner,” Dzulkefly said.
He addeed that the construction of the health clinic would also help reduce congestion at existing clinics such as the Jinjang Health Clinic, Batu Muda Health Clinic, Metro Prima Community Clinic and the Taman Koperasi Polis Mother and Child Health Clinic.
Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim clarified that the government's spending rationalisation will not affect the intake of new doctors and nurses or the expansion of school capacity, amid public confusion over recent budget adjustments.
He also said there would be no impact on medical services, the intake of new doctors and nurses as well as construction of clinics.
