PETALING JAYA: Greater transparency is needed over Putrajaya’s RM1bil National Digital Health Ecosystem and Connectivity Catalyst (Persada) initiative, particularly on the intended use of an additional RM350mil allocation, says MCA Central Committee member Cally Ting.
"The government should clarify whether the additional allocation would also come from the Universal Service Provision (USP) Fund, which was established primarily to improve communications access and narrow the digital divide, particularly in underserved and rural areas," she said in a statement on Tuesday (Sept 1).
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Persada was initially announced with an allocation of RM650mil, with Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil saying the funding would be managed by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) through the USP Fund.
Fahmi, who is also the Madani government spokesman, said the allocation would accelerate the implementation of electronic medical record (EMR) systems, as well as the provision of Internet access including public WiFi at health clinics and government hospitals.
The allocation has since been increased by RM350mil to RM1bil.
Ting also called for a breakdown of how the RM1bil would be divided between internet infrastructure and connectivity, EMR systems and other digital expenditure.
Another question she raised was if the EMR component would expand existing systems under the Health Ministry, including the Cloud-Based Clinical Management System (CCMS), Total Hospital Information System (THIS) and Hospital Information System (HIS), or be an entirely new one.
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"These are important distinctions. Improving internet connectivity at rural hospitals and clinics is clearly consistent with the purpose of the USP Fund.
"But if substantial amounts are being used for software, system subscriptions or replacement of existing hospital IT systems, the government needs to explain this clearly," she said.
Ting said the RM1bil allocation was a major public commitment and taxpayers should know where the funds came from and how they would be used.
"The public has the right to know where the money comes from and exactly what it will be spent on," she said.
She urged the government to accept the scrutiny, as greater transparency would strengthen accountability, particularly when funds intended to narrow the digital divide were involved.
