MMA seeks clarification on ventilator procurement during Covid-19

SHAH ALAM - The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) seeks clarification on the management of ventilators procured and supplied to the government during the Covid-19 pandemic.

MMA president Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz said the reports released by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on the matter raised more questions than answers.

She said there should be a party responsible for the lack of documentation in the procurement of the equipment.

"If Pharmaniaga Logistics Sdn Bhd (PLSB) does not have experience in obtaining medical equipment, appropriate documentation should have been prioritised for transparency and accountability.

"How 104 of the 136 ventilators sent could not be used without any responsible party demanding a thorough explanation?" she said in a statement on Tuesday.

Based on the Covid-19 Outbreak Management Report: Expired Vaccines, Unusable Ventilator Equipment, and Excess Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) issued by the PAC, no contract was drawn up between the Health Ministry and the PLSB regarding ventilator procurement, and the ministry’s legal advisor was not consulted during the process of preparing the PLSB appointment letter.

She said the issue could not be set aside as it was an urgent need for the emergency procurement policy, thus not wanting to repeat itself in the future.

“Transactions for the procurement of ventilators may occur at unusual times, but if the normal procurement process cannot be carried out, proper documentation must be implemented.

“Documents, including the documents signed, could be shared through the WhatsApp application,” she said.