MOBILE CLINICS IN CITY AND RURAL AREAS

Inche Mohd. Ali Bin Alwi asked the Minister for Health what is the number of mobile clinics operating in the City Area and in the Rural Areas; and whether the treatment given by such clinics is free of charge.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health (Dr Sheng Nam Chin) (for the Minister for Health): Mr Speaker, Sir, I have been asked to reply. It is presumed that the question refers to travelling dispensaries and not travelling clinics. In which case, the answer is that no mobile or travelling dispensaries are operating at present in the City area.

There are, however, four travelling dispensaries operating in the rural areas, and the treatment given in these travelling dispensaries is free.

Inche Mohd. Ali Bin Alwi: (In Malay): Mr Speaker, is it the intention of the Government to increase the number of travelling dispensaries?

Dr Sheng Nam Chin: Can the Member please repeat the question?

Inche Mohd. Ali Bin Alwi: (In Malay): Mr Speaker, is it the intention of the Government to increase the figure mentioned?

Dr Sheng Nam Chin: Mr Speaker, Sir, can I please ask the Member whether he is referring to these travelling dispensaries in the City or the rural areas?

Inche Mohd. Ali Bin Alwi: (In Malay): Concerning the four travelling dispensaries operating in the rural areas, I wish to know whether the number mentioned will be increased.

Dr Sheng Nam Chin: Mr Speaker, Sir, it is not envisaged that the number will be increased, but the Government will build more clinics in the rural areas to serve the people. It is felt that a travelling dispensary is only a very temporary provision for the medical services compared to a rural clinic.

Inche Mohd. Ali Bin Alwi: (In Malay): Mr Speaker, according to the information supplied, the medical treatment given is free. But to the best of my knowledge, some time ago 50 cents was charged for each treatment. When will such fees be waived?

Dr Sheng Nam Chin: As I mentioned previously, there were two types of travelling dispensaries. One was the city travelling dispensary and the other was the rural travelling dispensary. The city travelling dispensaries were previously controlled by the City Council, and it was necessary for those who attended the city travelling dispensaries to pay 50 cents for treatment. Since 1959, however, because of better services being provided in the City, it was deemed unnecessary to carry on with the city travelling dispensaries. Hence all the travelling dispensaries were shifted to the rural areas. Therefore, no payment was asked for.