KUCHING: The issue regarding nurse uniform fabric samples, which are alleged to not meet specifications and are reportedly similar to shrouds, will be addressed once the results are confirmed by the Department of Chemistry and the Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM).
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said once he receives the complete findings, he will present them to the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) top management.
“I am confident that they (Department of Chemistry and Science) will provide findings soon.
“Don’t worry, when there are findings of the analysis, I will make announcements through a press conference or press release,” he told a press conference after officiating at the Jelajah Agenda Nasional Malaysia Sihat (ANMS) and Kembara Madani Afiat programme held at Dataran Perayaan, Petra Jaya here on Saturday.
On Oct 23, the Malayan Nurses Union (MNU) acknowledged receiving feedback about the fabric’s harshness and discomfort for nurses on duty.
However, its president, Saaidah Athman, did not comment on claims that the fabric resembled shrouds.
It was also reported that the Ministry of Health is investigating complaints from nurses about the poor quality of fabric supplied by a company for uniforms, worth over RM98.3 million.
The Ministry confirmed that the fabric sample, which allegedly does not meet specifications, has been sent to the Department of Chemistry for analysis. If the supplier fails to meet the required standards, it may face action in accordance with the existing contract.
Dr Dzulkefly further said every issue concerning nurses would be handled properly and that a thorough and final decision would be made.
“I do not want to be presumptuous, and I don’t want to ‘jump the gun.’ Although I want this to be resolved yesterday, but I have to be patient to get it correct,” he added.
