KUALA LUMPUR: Private hospitals will not serve as vaccination centres (PPVs) or participate in mega PPVs by the end of this month, in line with the latest directive from the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF).
Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) president Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh said, private hospitals will now focus outside Klang Valley both in terms of enhancing vaccination and decanting patients into private hospitals.
To date, he said, private hospitals had successfully accepted close to 2,000 decanted patients in the Greater Klang Valley region.
"APHM wishes to express our sincere gratitude to the Health Ministry with the organisation done by ProtectHealth Sdn Bhd and the Science, Innovative and Technology Ministry (MOSTI) for this opportunity to vaccinate close to 1.5 million complete doses to citizens and non-citizens of Malaysia.
"The experience of providing service in this vaccination programme has been truly rewarding.
"We in private hospitals will abide with all policies and directions given by the government in the process of vaccination and managing this pandemic.
"At any time, we would give our support as requested by the government and will not question or dispute the arrangements made by all government stake holders," he said in a statement today.
Dr Kuljit said, selected private hospitals would conduct private vaccination for those who require them at their request and will also be prepared to administer booster shots, if necessary in future.
"Our plea is to have a wider range of vaccine types made available to paying patients which will further strengthen herd immunity.
"This will decrease the hesitancy when the public is given a choice to pick the type of vaccine.
"APHM will continue to work closely with all the new cabinet ministers in beating this pandemic as soon as possible.
"The importance of getting the economy back to its feet will be significant to the businesses of private hospitals.
"In view of this, collaborative efforts between private hospitals and public healthcare will be continuously strengthened with the new national leadership," he said.
Yesterday, CITF said that 12 PPVs in Klang Valley have ceased operation and another 21 PPVs in the region will be shut down between Aug 23 and Aug 29.
The task force said the decision was made because the completion of Operation Surge Capacity in the Klang Valley had reduced the need for many PPVs in the region.
The decision involving PPVs, it added, would be reviewed from time to time to cater to new demands such as administration of booster shots, vaccination for adolescents (12 to 17 year-olds) and vaccination for new registrants.