PM launches 1Malaysia mobile clinic

Published: Thursday December 9, 2010 MYT 1:35:00 PM
Updated: Thursday December 9, 2010 MYT 5:29:40 PM
PM launches 1Malaysia mobile clinic
By CHAN LI LEEN

IPOH: The nation’s first 1Malaysia mobile clinic providing healthcare to residents in remote areas has been launched.

“We want Malaysians to be productive and successful and two important things to look into are health and education,” said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at the launch at Kg Pos Raya on Thursday.

“Even if we have a good education system, but no healthcare then there is no point.”

Run by the Health Ministry and 1Malaysia Development Bhd, each mobile clinic is headed by a medical officer and would operate from 8am to 5pm, Mondays to Fridays.

The first mobile clinic will service southern Perak and Hulu Selangor while another three buses will be added next year that will serve Selangor, Pahang and Johor.

Najib added 75% of Malaysians lived within a 5km radius from hospitals and health clinics while the remainder had “slightly out of reach” healthcare.

0“So, the best way to reach out to these residents is through such mobile clinics,” he added.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said treatment provided at the mobile clinics would be free.

“Minor surgeries can be carried out besides providing medical checks. One of the main ideas is to treat those who are sick before their condition worsened,” he said.

He added under the 10th Malaysia Plan, the Government would add another 25 1Malaysia clinics in 2011 and 2012 respectively.