KUALA LUMPUR, 18 Dec 2008: The MCA hopes that the National Heart Institute (IJN) will not be privatised, its deputy president, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, said today.
He said that apart from promoting Malaysia’s good name in the eyes of the world, the institute had done a lot in helping the poor in the country.
“We hope the IJN will not be privatised. This is not about the money. This is about the government’s obligation to provide an affordable health service,” he told reporters at Wisma MCA, here.
Chua, who is former health minister, said that apart from the fact that the privatisation would bring about higher fees, another aspect to be considered was whether the efficiency and the quality of the service offered by IJN would be maintained.
“Of course when the fees are increased, it will burden the low-income people,” he said.
Chua was commenting on a report that IJN, which was established in 1992 at a cost of about RM15.5 million, would be bought by an established plantation company.
The Ministry of Finance Incorporated currently owns 99% stake in IJN. — Bernama
