Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad reassured the public that the current depreciation of the ringgit is having only a minimal impact on the purchase of medicines from abroad. He mentioned that the ministry has implemented hedging methods to mitigate the effects of fluctuating currencies on medicine acquisitions.
Dr. Dzulkefly explained, “In any procurement, we implemented the hedging strategy, meaning we made purchases in advance to avoid being affected by fluctuating currencies. So we buy and ‘lock in’ early.” This proactive approach has enabled the ministry to pay for medicines at the price locked in, despite the recent depreciation of the currency.
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Speaking to reporters after the handing over of the Tanjong Karang Dental Clinic Construction Project to the Health Ministry, Dr. Dzulkefly highlighted the positive impact of the current low exchange rates on the medical tourism sector, predicting an increase in foreign patients seeking healthcare treatment in the country.
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During the event, Dr. Dzulkefly shared that the construction of the Tanjong Karang Dental Clinic, situated on a 1.21-hectare site next to Tanjong Karang Hospital, commenced on June 15, 2020, and was completed in December last year at a cost of approximately RM13 million.
He elaborated, “This new building houses a primary dental clinic, an orthodontic specialist unit, and the Kuala Selangor District Dental Health Office. The clinic is equipped with eight dental chairs, including five primary dental chairs and three dental chairs for the orthodontic unit, along with additional facilities such as an intraoral x-ray room and a dental laboratory for the preparation of dental prostheses.”
Dr. Dzulkefly announced that the clinic would officially begin operations on March 4, providing enhanced dental services to the community. – Bernama
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