SEREMBAN: The low cost of services offered by government hospitals has been identified as one of the reasons why corruption is almost impossible to occur in the health department.
Negri Sembilan State Health Department director, Dr Zainudin Mohd Ali said, for as low as RM1, the public could benefit from various types of treatments provided at the government hospital.
“The present charge too provides no opportunities for the department’s staff to take advantage, whilst preventing them from being involved in corruption,” he said.
“But I would like to remind all health department’s staff to stay away from corruption in all aspect of their work. It’s an act that won’t be tolerated,” he said
Zainudin said, corruption however, is possible to occur among health enforcement officers especially during operations.
“We have recorded cases where our enforcement officers took bribe from as low as RM10, as inducement for them not to take action against offenders.
“Stern action had been taken against the officer involved and we hope this will not occur in the future. We want to put a stop to corruption,” he said at the oath taking of a Corruption-Free pledge ceremony held at Wisma Negeri here, today.
Also present was Deputy Director (Operation) of the state Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Khairuddin Abdul Rahman.
A total of 250 staff from the state Health Department comprising top management officers, unit heads, health enforcement officers were present to take part in the Corruption-free pledge ceremony.
Meanwhile Khairuddin said, the ceremony was a reflection of everyone’s commitment to fight corruption and avoid any forms of abuse of power.
“This is not done just for fun. It comes with great duty which needs to be reflected by their action. We don’t want anyone to underestimate this pledge,” he said.