KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry will take a “firm and efficient” approach when it comes to the procurement of medical equipment in the future, says Dr Zaliha Mustafa (pic).
The Health Minister was commenting on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report which revealed the procurement of unusable ventilators that was done via WhatsApp as well as expired vaccines and excess personal protective equipment (PPE).
Dr Zaliha said the procurement process will be more stringent, even during an emergency.
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“The Health Ministry takes note of the PAC report. This is not the first time we accept the findings of the PAC report.
“The ministry has extended full cooperation in providing the PAC with the information required.
“We have taken note of PAC’s recommendations and the necessary action will be taken to make improvements for the future especially on the procurement process,” she added.
The report was tabled on Oct 30.
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Although 104 out of the 136 ventilators supplied by Pharmaniaga Logistics Sdn Bhd (PLSB) to the Health Ministry at a total cost of RM24.1mil ended up being unusable, no party was able to take responsibility because no contract had been drawn up, read the report.
Additionally, the PAC found that PLSB, a subsidiary of pharmaceutical company Pharmaniaga Bhd, did not sign any contracts with the suppliers.
It also found that a total of 8.5 million Covid-19 vaccine doses worth RM505mil have expired as of June 1.
The Health Ministry had procured vaccines based on its projections on the number of doses needed but decreased demand for vaccination, delay in receiving vaccines and vaccines donated by foreign countries had led to an excess, the PAC found.
