Warisan questions shortage of medicine at Putatan clinic
Published on: Thursday, March 08, 2018
Kota Kinabalu: Parti Warisan Sabah on Wednesday questioned why the shortage of medicines is happening at the Putatan Health Clinic.Treasurer General cum Chief Coordinator for Putatan, Terrence Siambun said several villagers had approached him about the matter. "They are unhappy because instead of receiving a month-long supply as how it was previously, they are now being given a two weeks' supply and once finished, they have to come back to the clinic again.
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"This is causing great inconveniences to senior citizens and the middle aged because it is not easy to find parking at the clinic while it takes a long time to wait for the medicines at the pharmacy counter," he said. "Some of these patients are low income earners whose only means of getting medical treatment was by going to the government hospital or clinic and I don't think it is appropriate to ask them to purchase their own supply at private pharmacy," he explained. "I do believe that the congestion happening at this clinic is partly due to this shortage because the patients will now have to come every two weeks to get their supplies and this causes congestion on the limited facilities at the clinic such as parking lots or seats that would have been reduced if they come once a month," he added. Siambun also called for the State Government to assist the senior citizens, middle-aged and low income earners to purchase their own supplies from the private pharmacy.
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"Our Federal Government should tell us the reason for this shortage and in the meantime, the State Government can assist by bearing the costs of the remaining two weeks through the issuance of Government vouchers which the patients can use at private pharmacies. "The State Government can bill the Ministry of Health for the expenses incurred in assisting our senior citizens, middle aged and low income earning Sabahans.
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"These senior citizens and middle-aged have in some way contributed to the development of the State in their younger years so the State Government should be more appreciative and be more sensitive to their predicaments," he said. He also chided the poor state of maintenance at the Putatan Health Clinic. "The roadside are filled with overgrown weeds while the drain is clogged with aquatic vegetation. I hope the Putatan District Council will do their part by cleaning this area," he said. Meanwhile, the Political Assistant to Terrence Siambun, Elsie Gidai queried the status of the Penampang Health Clinic as promised by the Government in 2012.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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