KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s Covid-19 vaccination drive would be reinforced once private hospitals can procure their own vaccines to inoculate economic frontliners and others who need it early.
However to achieve this, Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia president, Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh said they needed assistance from the government.
After contacting several manufacturers, outside Malaysia’s portfolio of vaccines, he said the understanding among the companies was that only governments were allowed to procure the vaccines and this included bookings for private healthcare facilities.
As such, he hoped the government would assist the association by officially informing the manufacturers that they have been given the green light.
“We feel the two remaining phases of the vaccination strategy should be reviewed so there is some enhancement of the vaccination process.
“High risk individuals in the second phase should not be left out, but at the same time, third phase recipients should also be considered to have their vaccines early.”
Earlier Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said private hospitals would be given permission to negotiate with suppliers to purchase Covid-19 vaccines.
However, the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP) Coordinating Minister said vaccine delivery to private markets would most likely be made in the third and fourth quarters of this year at the earliest.
Meanwhile APHM also sought for its representatives to be included in the various National Vaccine Committees to further assist the government in managing the vaccine rollout.
Dr Kujit also highlighted concerns whether the Digital Vaccination Certificate in
MySejahtera would be accepted in other countries.
“Our concerns are on the arrival of medical tourists from other countries and the recognition of their vaccination and testing status. The need to re-start the economy is essential.”
He hoped that the association would be allowed to engage the authorities further on these issues.
Dr Kuljit earlier thanked Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba for allowing private hospitals to be used as vaccination centres using vaccines provided free by the government.
“Private hospitals are happy to vaccinate the public at whichever rate the government has suggested through ProtectHealth Corporation Sdn Bhd as the balance of the cost will be on the private hospital as a corporate social responsibility to the nation.
“This payment will be made by the government and the public will not have to pay anything.”- NST