KUALA LUMPUR – The Health Ministry will facilitate the construction of a hospital in Gaza, which will be funded by donations collected by the Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisations (Mapim).
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad clarified this today, in response to reactions by Malaysians on social media that rural parts of the country were still in need of better healthcare facilities.
Dzulkefly said he had requested the government assist Mapim in its goal to build a hospital in Gaza during the post-war period there.
“(Mapim) managed to collect RM30 million (from donations) and expressed this hope that the Malaysian government would help and facilitate (in building a hospital in Gaza),” Dzulkefly told a press conference at Damansara Specialist Hospital 2, today.
“I said this would be a noble idea, and that I would present this to the prime minister in the cabinet (meeting). That’s all that I said; do not extend further than that.
“Of course, (the level of assistance) would be determined by our finances and capability, but at least we have registered the NGO’s request.”
Dzulkefly had announced the Health Ministry’s proposal for a hospital in Gaza at a Mapim event earlier this week.
The news stirred some dissatisfaction, with social media users urging the government to prioritise upgrading local hospitals that were in dire need, before providing aid internationally.
Meanwhile, Dzulkefly said the ministry would monitor the trend of ischemic heart disease and cardiovascular-related ailments in the nation, which he said were the top causes of premature deaths.
It is followed by chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and cancer, he added, citing the National Health Morbidity Survey. – February 16, 2024