KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 — Public health facilities, especially clinics, are being upgraded to bridge the gap in health services between the urban and rural communities, said Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa.
She said the upgrading of these facilities are carried out to improve the quality of the health service system as targeted in the Health White Paper, which is to ensure greater equitability, sustainability and resilience of the health system.
“We prioritise health services that are close to the people, like the repair of health facilities, especially clinics, that are in poor or dilapidated condition because the services provided at clinics are ‘primary care’... With good clinics, God willing, we can overcome basic health problems in the community and the people do not need to only go to hospitals.
“What we want is for each clinic to have at least an x-ray or laboratory service,” she said when appearing as a guest on RTM’s Selamat Pagi Malaysia today.
Dr Zaliha said the Health White Paper is in line with the Madani Economy principles, which focus on the effectiveness of public service delivery in ensuring the well-being of the people and sustainability of the economic system.
“This is what will ultimately lead to sustainable economic growth,” she said.
— Bernama
