JOHOR BARU: Damaged wheelchairs used to ferry patients at Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA), here, have caused concerns.
An internet user shared his experience using the hospital-issued wheelchair at HSA, claiming that he received a sarcastic reply when he asked the hospital how he would be able to rest his foot when the footplate is missing.
He claimed that they replied with "it would be replaced with raffia thread", instead.
He had posted a screenshot of the conversation he had with the alleged attending nurse on X (formerly Twitter), with a picture of the wheelchair with missing footplates.
He claimed that the male nurse had sarcastically asked him if he had brought his own wheelchair, and that if he did not have one, he should just be thankful as this is the condition of free government issued wheelchairs.
The Health Ministry (MOH), responded to the post, thanking the user for raising his concerns, while ensuring him that it will be addressed.
However, MOH's response received backlash, with comments claiming that it was just lip service and the issue would be swept under the carpet.
Meanwhile, Johor Health and Unity Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said he had asked for HSA's management to furnish a report on the alleged incident, and to conduct internal investigations to identify the male nurse who allegedly made the sarcastic remarks.
"We take issues like this seriously, and we do not sweep them under the carpet.
"We need to establish when the incident allegedly took place, to take appropriate actions.
"I have instructed that all damaged wheelchairs that might pose safety issues to be removed immediately. The state government is always ready to render any help necessary for the betterment of the people.
"We will help replace the damaged wheelchairs," he said when contacted.
Earlier, the New Straits Times reported that the Johor State government spent RM13.7 million to upgrade clinics and hospitals' facilities, equipment and infrastructure to enhance operational efficiency, in order to provide effective service to the people.