KUALA LUMPUR: The Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) has raised concerns over the inconsistencies in the nationwide vaccination process, including the insignificant number of private vaccination centres in the country.
APHM president Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh said some states such as Melaka had yet to start vaccination on the doctors and staff of private hospitals.
They have instead been scheduled for the vaccination end of this month, which is the beginning of phase 2 in the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP).
He said some private hospitals in the state are among the major economic contributors to the state and country, through initiatives such as medical tourism.
"We hope the vaccination programme can be increased in some of the lacking states, including the East Coast and small towns in Sarawak," he said in a statement today.
Dr Kuljit said Phase 2 of NIP will start in 10 days, thus the government should increase the involvement of private healthcare providers, including private medical practitioners to assist the country's vaccination programme.
With stronger cooperation between the government and the private sector, he said the Covid-19 vaccination process could be completed before the end of this year.
"There are discussions with the government to provide compensation for the cost of rehabilitation in private healthcare centres so as not to burden the people.
"Our proposal to help the economic front line through private vaccination programs needs to be given serious consideration.
"We hope it is implemented after the initial success of the public vaccination programme by the middle of the year or latest by the third quarter of this year, which is also targeted for the economic front lines," he said.