KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib insisted that the parties concerned must not ‘interfere’ with funds that have been earmarked for the construction of clinics in Sabah for other purposes.
He reminded the Malaysian Ministry of Health (KKM) not to divert the allocation for the construction of clinics in Sabah to finance the establishment of the Sabah Heart Center (PJS) announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently.
James said that the allocation of RM80 million for the establishment of PJS at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (HQE) II should have used the new allocation channeled through the Ministry of Finance.
“I was surprised to learn that the allocation of RM80 million announced by the Prime Minister was money from health clinics that had already been approved and taken, kept to ‘top up’ the allocation announced by the Prime Minister.
“Therefore, I ask the Ministry of Health, any project that has been approved to upgrade or build facilities in Sabah should not be disturbed or messed with.
“Do what the Prime Minister announced through the Ministry of Finance to find funds to build the Sabah Heart Center that was announced at RM80 million,” he said.
He said this at a press conference after inaugurating the Jalan Pantai Family Care Clinic, here, on Saturday.
James, who is also the Sabah Health Exco, said that it was unfair to take allocations for the construction of health clinics whose facilities are much needed by residents, especially in rural areas, to realize PJS.
In the meantime, James also insisted that the proposed establishment of PJS at HQE II be maintained and not moved to another location.
He said the recent statement by the Minister of Health, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, regarding the possibility of placing PJS at Hospital Universiti Malaysia Sabah (HUMS) will further delay the provision of the facility.
“Our aim is to apply for this Sabah heart institute, firstly considering that our finances at the moment do not allow it, then the existing allocation of RM80 million that was announced is better for us to add facilities, the facilities of our heart center ward at HQE II.
“However, recently there was an announcement from the Ministry of Health saying that they would consider placing the PJS at HUMS.
“But, I think HUMS is still too late to be completed, we don’t know when it will be ready while the heart facilities are very urgent and for that reason it is better to upgrade the HQE II ward,” he said.
