■Bagan Ajam residents holding placards showing their displeasure at Penang exco member Phee Boon Poh for claiming that 1Malaysia clinics were a waste of resources by the government. — NST picture by Mohamad Danial Mohamad SaadBUTTERWORTH: Residents of low-cost flats in Bagan Ajam yesterday vented their fury on DAP assemblyman Phee Boon Poh for questioning the existence of 1Malaysia clinics during the recently concluded state assembly.
The residents, who staged a peaceful protest, said the state welfare, health, caring society and environment committee chairman should realise the important role played by the clinic and what it meant for the low-income earners.
They carried placards during the 30-minute protest in front of the Bagan Ajam 1Malaysia Clinic here.
Petty trader Emelia Saidin, 30, said she and her family found it convenient to seek treatment there instead of going far away for treatment.
“We thank the Federal Government for offering such services to the poor,” she said.
Housewife M. Parvathy, 59, who sought treatment for a cut on her left hand, said she paid only RM1 at the clinic.
The residents, Ibrahim Othman, 55, said the clinic was a boon to the poor as they could get outpatient treatment at a nominal RM1 fee.
"The clinic is a blessing for us as we no longer have to seek treatment at private clinics or pharmacies for slight illnesses."
His statement was echoed by resident M. Parvath, 54.
He said he no longer needed to travel for half an hour to the nearest hospital for his basic health check-up as it was available at the clinic.
"It saves us time and travelling cost. Why should someone question its existence?"
It was reported that during his winding-up speech at the state assembly on Monday, Phee had described the 1Malaysia clinics as a waste as there were already health clinics around to provide the people with proper services.
He said the clinic was a mismanagement of resources by the government as they were only manned by hospital assistants and not doctors.
Bagan Barisan Nasional coordinator David Chua said the Health Ministry had initially refused to open the clinic there.
“But, I appealed to the ministry because there are many poor people living in the Taman Tun Sardon and Taman Pantai Bersih flats and in several nearby villages,” he said.
Chua said Phee had not visited the clinic since its opening about three months ago.
“Phee should apologise for running down the clinic,” he said.New Straits Times. 2011/05/12
The Star.Metro
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