The mystery of the scattered medical equipment

The mystery of the scattered medical equipment

Medical and laboratory equipment, worth thousands of ringgit, have been found lying scattered on the pavement of the Penang Hospital for the past few months.

GEORGE TOWN – Medical and laboratory equipment, worth thousands of ringgit, have been found lying scattered on the pavement of the Penang Hospital officers’ quarters near the hospital canteen for the past few months.

Komtar Assemblyman, Ng Wei Aik, who visited the site, accompanied by two Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) members, Teh Lai Heng dan Ong Ah Teong, on Tuesday, said most of the equipment could still be used. He said some were still new, bearing the manufacturing date February 2011.

“This is a waste of the people’s money,” he told reporters here. Checks by Bernama found hundreds of critical care products lying under the stairs of the officers’ quarters.

The expiry dates found on the products were May and September 2013 and February 2014, while some had the expiry date of November 2010. The products include Underwater Chest Drainage Bottle  600 milimeter (ml); Underwater Seal Drainage Bottle 600ml; Sterile Gallipots with cover 450 ml and Catheterization. The products bore labels stating “Medical and Laboratory Products”, and are manufactured by a company based in Section 34 Shah Alam.

Some of the products were also found on the pavement of the Penang and Seberang Prai branch office of the National Union of Medical and Health Government Employees. Health care falls under the federal government’s jurisdiction.