The Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) hopes for increased participation from private healthcare establishments, including private practitioners, to aid in the implementation of the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme.
Its president, Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh, stated that only a few private hospitals are currently involved in the immunisation programme, and that some states, such as Melaka, have not yet begun vaccination for private hospital doctors and staff, but are scheduled to do so by the end of the month or in phase two.
“Some of the private hospitals in these states are big economic contributors to the country and the states in terms of medical tourism.
“We hope the vaccination programme can be enhanced in some of these states including the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia,” he said in a statement.
Khairy Jamaluddin, Coordinating Minister for the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme, announced earlier this month that a number of private hospitals are already being used as vaccination centres for private healthcare workers in Phase 1 of the immunisation programme.
Dr Kuljit said the APHM is looking forward to strengthening its partnership with the government as Malaysia enters Phase 2 of the programme in 10 days to ensure the vaccination exercise is completed by the end of the year.
“There are talks with the government in remuneration of recovering cost in private healthcare establishments by the government so that it will not burden the people.
“Our proposal to help the economic frontlines via a private vaccination programme should be given due consideration,” he says.
