COLLABORATION BETWEEN MINISTRY OF HEALTH (MOH) AND PRIVATE HEALTHCARE SECTORS IN HANDLING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

22:30 08-12-2020 / Kesiapsiagaan KKM, Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (Rt-PCR), Rapid Test Kit Antigen (RTK-Ag), Private Healthcare, MOH Collaboration

Since the initial phase of COVID-19 pandemic, MOH has been collaborating with private healthcare sector which are hospitals, clinics and laboratories to manage the increasing number of COVID-19 cases. This collaboration aims to optimise the existing healthcare resources and facilities in Malaysia from various sectors in order to strengthen the accessibility and continuity of healthcare services to the public. The government will continue the “whole-of-society and whole-of-government” approach in line with current needs.

1. Collaboration with private hospitals

Through collaboration with the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM), MOH has outsourced medical services especially elective surgeries or medical procedures for non-COVID-19 patients which had been delayed due to the outbreak. The services are offered by private hospitals at a price lower than the normal market price. A total of RM 49 million has been allocated for 3,764 surgeries/ procedures in 19 clinical disciplines. This initiative involved 23 MOH hospitals and 31 private hospitals.

2. Collaboration with private laboratories

At the beginning of the pandemic, there were only 6 MOH laboratories with the capacity of performing 832 COVID-19 tests per day. Until 7 December 2020, the number of MOH laboratories has increased to 26. Additional to that, there are 21 private laboratories and 16 laboratories from other government agencies including universities capable in performing COVID-19 tests. Till date, there is a total of 63 laboratories in the country with the capacity of 59,505 tests per day. To cope with the spike of cases in Sabah, samples from this state have been sent via Royal Malaysian Airforce, PosLaju and other courier services to MOH and private laboratories in Peninsula Malaysia.

3. Screening of COVID-19 in private healthcare facilities

MOH has allowed the private sectors to take part in the sampling process of COVID-19 at private facilities listed below:
a) Private medical clinics
b) Private ambulatory care centres
c) Private hospitals

Private healthcare facilities are allowed to run the test samples at their own premises depending on the facilities available at the sampling locations and the types of screening performed (RTK Ag/ RT-PCR). For premises without the required facilities, samples will be sent to private laboratories accredited by MOH. Private medical laboratories only run the tests on COVID-19 samples received but are not involved with sample taking process.

Till 8 December 2020, there are a total of 553 private medical clinics, 11 ambulatory care centers, and 127 private hospitals involve in providing these services.
Private medical clinics are also allowed to set up on-site health screening booth at locations other than the facilities mentioned above, such as factories, public halls or offices.

4. Medical resources and workforce support from private healthcare sectors

Private healthcare sector plays a crucial role in providing medical resources and workforce support to the MOH in handling this pandemic. MOH appreciates all the contributions given including ventilators, personal protective equipment (PPE) and healthcare workers such as medical specialists, medical officers, assistant medical officers, nurses, and allied health personnel.