HYBRID MOBILE BOAT CLINIC NEXT YEAR, SAYS MALAYSIAN PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 28 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak
said the government would introduce the hybrid Mobile Boat Clinic to cater for
villages that are connected by rivers in East Malaysia.

He said this move was for the people to enjoy better health and receive
medical check-ups, medicine and advice.

"I am determined that, in our pursuit of a developed and high-income nation
status and in the spirit of inclusiveness, we will not forget the
underprivileged.

"We will go into the deepest forest and up the longest river and over the
highest mountain to ensure that all move forward as a nation. It is my dream
that all Malaysians will have access to healthcare, no matter where they are,"
he said in his latest 1Malaysia blogposting Tuesday.

Najib said he was also keen and would be appreciative if the readers of
his blog would share their thoughts and suggestions on this initiative.

He said back in January, he had introduced the 1Malaysia clinics in urban
areas to provide fast and cheap basic treatment to the lower-income group.

"I believe that the 1Malaysia clinics are a success only because we have
managed to serve the public and enhance access to healthcare for urban
lower-income areas. After all, a healthy person will be able to contribute more
to their family, the economy, and the growth of our country," he said.

As a follow-up to the 1Malaysia clinics, Najib also launched the 1Malaysia
Mobile Clinic Initiative earlier this month, which will bring free healthcare
and health checks to the doorsteps of remote rural villages.

"These buses will ferry doctors, nurses, and auxiliary staff to treat the
sick and deliver quality healthcare where clinics and hospitals are not
available," he said.

Najib said the initiative served two of the National Key Result Areas
(NKRAs): to raise the living standards of low-income households, and to improve
rural basic infrastructure.

Najib said the 1Malaysia Mobile Clinic Initiative would start with four
buses to cater for identified needful areas around the country.

"The buses will visit up to 40 villages a month to provide the necessary
healthcare, screening and medication.

"The staff will handle most cases on the spot while more serious cases will
be referred to the nearest urban hospital or medical centre," he said.

-- BERNAMA