91 run-down clinics upgraded so far, says Dr Zaliha

PUTRAJAYA: A total of 91 dilapidated clinics under the Health Ministry have been successfully upgraded through the Madani Economy initiative as of mid-August.

Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said they were part of the 436 dilapidated clinics across the country identified for upgrading this year, with the work being carried out in phases.

“There are 1,200 dilapidated clinics identified nationwide based on the list provided by the health directors from each state. We targeted 436 for upgrading this year and about 300 more for next year,” said Dr Zaliha.

“Currently, 341 clinics are being upgraded while four others are in the procurement phase,” she added when speaking to reporters after opening the Healthcare Facility Management Conference & Exhibition 2023 (HcFM CONFEX 2023) in Putrajaya on Thursday (Aug 17).

Previously, Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni had said the cost of upgrading each dilapidated clinic ranges from RM50,000 to RM800,000.

On July 3, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, while chairing the Malaysian Madani Action Council meeting, announced that the government would focus on two Madani Economy projects, one of which was to upgrade poor facilities under the Health Ministry.

Under the facility upgrading project, he said, the government would take immediate steps to improve 436 facilities.

Separately, Dr Zaliha also touched on vacancies at health facilities in the Klang Valley following the relocation of workers especially to Sabah and Sarawak to meet demand there.

She said the current vacancies in Peninsular Malaysia will be filled immediately to ensure that services are not affected.

“We are in the midst of filling these vacancies, and it will be completed soon. The current vacancies can be filled by existing officers,” she said.