Ensure all Sabah hospitals have sufficient medicines, MOH told

19 January 2022

By Wartawan Nabalu News

KOTA KINABALU: Former Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew has urged the Health Ministry (MOH) to ensure that all hospitals in Sabah are sufficiently stocked with medicines throughout the year.

The Tawau MP was perturbed to learn that certain medicines were "out of stock" as told to patients when those concerned, including sufferers of heart disease, went to collect their medications at government pharmacies since the beginning of the year.

Based on feedback, she said it was explained to affected patients that their medication was for a duration of only two weeks, instead of the usual one month's supply, so they had to come back after two weeks for the next collection because the medicines in question were "out of stock".

"Such a distressing situation should not arise unless something has gone wrong somewhere in the supply chain. It is causing a great deal of inconvenience to senior citizens in particular.

"We are not starting 2022 on the right footing if we get reports like 'medicines out of stock' as we welcome the New Year with fresh hopes.

"The Government of the day should prioritise public healthcare by ensuring there is no shortage of medicines in the public hospitals, apart from combating the Covid-19 pandemic, tackling flood woes and fighting corruption," Liew, who is also Api Api Assemblywoman, said in a statement, Wednesday.

She said the Government had allocated RM32.4 billion to KKM for operating and development expenditure in Budget 2022.

"It is reportedly the second largest in the budget (after the allocation for the Education Ministry). Do make good the talk that the budget reflects the government's concern for the well-being of the people," she added.