The problems and needs of the Indians in Wangsa Maju will be looked into, said MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai. He added that an action plan would be drawn to improve the condition and infrastructure of Indian and Chinese temples. “We will also look for land to build new temples. As for funeral parlours, there should be one for every religion especially at low-costs flats,” he said at a dinner with the Indian community of Wangsa Maju at the SJK (C) Mun Yee recently. More than 100 people attended the dinner, including Indian non-governmental organisations, organised by MCA Wangsa Maju.
The Health Minister also said the ministry would provide free health screening during the Jom Sihat Karnival for Wangsa Maju residents to be held at the end of the year.
He added that Barisan Nasional would work hard to recapture Wangsa Maju which it lost in the 2008 general election by a small margin.
Earlier, Liow said the Government allocated RM14bil to RM16bil to provide health services to the public every year that enabled the people to only pay 2% of medical expenses.
“The health service sector has come a long way since we achieved Independence.
“Hospitals used to be merely a service provider but now it is a source of income to the country’s economy,” he said.
Liow said the public only needed to pay RM1 at a government hospital, including medication and only RM5 to see a specialist.
“No matter how long they stay in a third-class ward, it will only cost them a maximum of RM500. Those who cannot afford, can be exempted from paying,” he said.
He added that the health of the people had improved as the average lifespan of a male now was 72 compared with 56 years ago and that of a female 77 from 57.
By WONG PEK MEI
pekmei@thestar.com.my
Source: starproperty.my