KUALA LUMPUR: Some 102,646 pieces of Health Ministry’s medical equipment have been used for more than 10 years and are still actively utilised, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
The Health Ministry said it placed an emphasis on ensuring the equipment could be used in a safe and optimal manner, with regular maintenance work and also adhering to manufacturers standards.
The ministry said various measures were taken to ensure its equipment is in a good condition.
This includes procuring equipment through rentals, thus ensuring the received items are in line with the latest technologies and are in good condition.
“Centralised procurements are also carried out to further empower the ministry’s purchasing power and provide greater value for money without any compromise towards the quality of equipment received.
“The Medical Programme Information System has also been established to record all medical equipment requirements in an efficient and convenient manner,” it said in a written reply on Tuesday (Nov 26).
The ministry said periodic monitoring is also done towards the procurement of medical equipment to ensure expenditure is done systematically and according to schedule.
Engagements with related stakeholders are also held from time-to-time to to tackle any impending issues, according to the ministry.
It was responding to a question from by Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (IND-Tanjong Karang) who asked about the number of medical equipment aged 10 years and more still in use and measures to tackle the issue.
Zulkafperi also asked about the status of the ministry’s vehicles.
To this, the Health Ministry said Phase 1 of ambulance replacements was currently underway.
The first phase will involve 590 ambulance units and 41 patient transport service vehicles, costing as much as RM265.5mil.
Under Phase 2 of ambulance procurements, the ministry said RM304 mil of allocations have been approved.
“We will always work to improve our quality of services to ensure a more holistic public health approach,” the ministry said.
