OVERLAPPING ROLE OF HEALTH INSPECTORS

By : DAP MEDIA

The issue on the overlapping role of the federal and state health inspectors was raised by the Kota Kinabalu Member of Parliament Hiew King Cheu after receiving public complaints especially the food operators from the state.

The complaints are emphasizing on the overlapping role of the health inspectors which had caused inconvenience and confusion among the food operators and its associated industry.

This had caused unhappiness to the people and they said it is high time that this matter had to be resolved and cleared once for all. The food operators complained that they don’t know who to listen to when problems arises.

KK MP Hiew had written to the department concerned and received a written reply from the Sabah Director of Health saying that the Ministry is addressing the matter and had explained the details of the situation and its various problems.

The Sabah Director of Health Dr. Mohd Yusof Hj Ibrahim replied in his letter that the complaint had been investigated and discussed by the health officers in Kota Kinabalu together with the DBKK on the 15th of August 2011 and found out the work of the two health inspectorate (Penolong Pegawai Kesihatan Persekitaran–PPKP) in the city is both in fact by complimenting each other on their work scope and jurisdiction. There is no summons being issued over the same offence committed.

On the part of the Sabah Health department they also are very responsive to the various comment and complaints from the general public in carrying out their work and to improve their performance not only in KK City but throughout the whole Sabah.

The director further said that there will be action taken by the higher level to improve the situation of the Health services for the people in KK, and shall be undertaken with full sensitivities towards the business sector in KK.

This shall be carried out with the full corporation with the DBKK in the future. There will be a ‘win-win’ situation on all issue arising especially on the complaints and issues raised by the people here in KK.

LETTER….Copy of the letter from the Director of Heath Sabah.

The Kota Kinabalu Member of Parliament complemented the action taken by the Sabah Health Department and hope that they will be more considerate in the future to make their work more transparent and clear cut in order not to add more headache to the people. If it can be sorted out amicably and without creating a big problem for the people, that will be welcomed by all.

On the case of the advertisement fees collected from the many food operators on the printing of the bulletin by the Federal Health Inspectors Union, the printing of the bulletin was known to be have been cancelled now. There will be no more public collection of advertisement due to legal ground and no permit.

The general public should take note of this, and for those who had made payment can seek from the organizer for the refund of their money. The receipt can be passed to the KK MP office to assist anyone who wanted help on the refund.

At the same time, MP Hiew will also raise the question concerning the over lapsed work jurisdiction and power of the state and federal health inspectors during the coming sitting in Parliament in October.