KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11  -- The government is allocating RM30.6 billion to ensure access to quality healthcare for all, as part of its aspiration of creating an inclusive Malaysian society.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng while tabling Budget 2020 themed “Driving Growth and Equitable Outcomes Towards Shared Prosperity”, said that the allocation, which was higher compared to RM28.7 billion in Budget 2019, aims to intensify preventive measures to manage the burden on public healthcare expenses.

Lim said that the budget comprises of seven items, among those are RM1.6 billion for the construction of new hospitals as well as upgrading and expansion of existing ones. This include Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Klang, Hospital Kampar, Hospital Labuan and cardiology centres at existing hospitals such as Hospital Queen Elizabeth II di Sabah.

“RM319 million for the construction and upgrading of health and dental clinics, as well as quarters facility, and as promised in the Pakatan Harapan Manifesto, an initial aloocation of RM60 million will be provided to kick-start the pneumococcal vaccination for children next year.

“To ensure a more responsive emergency and trauma services, RM59 million will be allocated to acquire more ambulances, in collaboration with ambulance services by Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO),” he said at the Dewan Rakyat today.

He said that in the same allocation, RM227 million will be provided to upgrade medical equipment, while RM95 million for renovation of medical infrastructure and facilities such as at Pontian Hospital.

Meanwhile, Lim said RM31 million was allocated for upgrading and maintenance of information and communication technology (ICT), which include a pilot project for hospital electronic medical records and RM5 million to provide mobile clinics in rural areas, especially the Orang Asli, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals of achieving universal health coverage.

--BERNAMA