The Malaysian Insight

MALAYSIANS have contributed RM24.7 million to the Health Ministry to procure medical equipment for the treatment of Covid-19 patients, Health Ministry secretary-general Dr Chen Chaw Min said.

He said the amount was collected through the reactivated Covid-19 special account since October 16.

Chen told The Malaysian Insight that of the amount collected, the ministry has approved RM11.8 million for the purchase medical devices such as ventilators, infrared thermometers, ultrasound scanners and manual crank beds.

“Another RM11.9 million has been allocated for Covid-19 test kits and RM987,840 for the deployment of ministry officers to Sabah,” Chen said.

He added that the fund’s priority is to cover the cost of the rental and purchase of equipment, facilities, services and other necessities for the ministry, as well as for maintenance of previously acquired equipment, facilities and services funded by this account.

The fund was reactivated following requests from various parties such as companies, social entities and the public who requested to make cash contributions to the Health Ministry, which had drained its coffers to contain the pandemic.

The ministry, as a government body, is not allowed to solicit donations.

“As we cannot foresee what will happen to the third wave of Covid-19, the ministry will continue to receive cash contributions under this trust account.

“We believe that with the approval of tax deduction under the Subsection 44(6), Income Tax Act 1967 by the Finance Ministry, it would help to boost the total number of collections.”

Chen said there would be a continuous need for additional funding and other forms of aid until the outbreak ends and the Covid-19 vaccine is available.

Aside from public donations, Chen added that the ministry has also received RM1 billion from the government to purchase Covid-19-related medical equipment and cover logistics costs.

This includes transferring non-Covid-19 patients to private health care facilities and outsourcing Covid-19 samples to private labs to ease the burden of government hospitals and labs.

The special Covid-19 account was established with the approval of the Finance Ministry under Section 9, Finance Procedure Act 1957 on March 23.

The Health Ministry stopped contribution to the trust account on May 31, having collected a total of RM31.6 million when the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases declined significantly.

“Similar to what happened before, the ministry will consider deactivating the special account again when the number of confirmed cases show a significant drop,” Chen said.

Urgent monetary aid for Sabah

One of the parties that have stepped in to support the ministry is the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), a representative body for registered medical practitioners in Malaysia.

MMA president Dr Subramaniam Muniandy said the Sabah MMA Covid-19 fund has received good response from companies, groups and individuals.

“With the help of MMA and MMA Foundation, Sabah MMA took the lead to assist the Sabah State Health Department in streamlining donations in cash and kind, channelling them to various health care facilities in the state.

“Some companies have even stepped forward to offer free services. From April till June, RM1 million was raised through a Shopee MMA Covid-19 fund.”

Echoing Chen’s statement, Subramaniam also agreed that public donation was a solution until a proven, safe and effective vaccine arrives.

“With the increase in cases, the priority and requirements of the state rapidly change by the day.

“This is a temporary measure executed within days to assist and bridge the acute rise in needs that quickly escalated with the community spread in Sabah.”

Subramaniam also added that the Sabah government was working together with the federal government and the ministry for a long-term solution to this pandemic.

“Namely, increasing funding, infrastructure, manpower and public-private partnerships in health care.”