AUDIT REPORT The Auditor-General'S Report 2012 tabled in the Dewan Rakyat revealed that four hospitals face a shortage of ambulances, which is feared would affect its emergency services.

It states the number of existing ambulances was also not enough to cover operations and this was aggravated by a lack of proper maintenance.

The audit found Seri Manjung Hospital was short of nine ambulances, Serdang Hospital (18), Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital (11) and Sarawak General Hospital (16).

Based on records at the Medical Development Division, Ministry of Health (MOH), from 2010 till August 2012, 124 ambulances were involved in road accidents resulting in 44 deaths.

The audit found that till December last year, 34 cases of accidents involving ambulances incurred repair costs exceeding RM0.41 million which was borne by the ministry.

Nonetheless, it said police had yet to complete investigations with delays stretching from 147 to 1,079 days whereas periodic maintenance by the companies given the concession to do this were delayed from 20 to 118 days.

According to the report, the ministry's estimated expenditure for ambulance maintenance for its hospitals by the concessionaires - Faber Medi-Serve Sdn Bhd, Pantai Medivest Sdn Bhd and Radicare (M) Sdn Bhd - was RM64.17 million for the period 2010 till 2012.

Nevertheless, although the audit found ambulance maintenance to be satisfactory, there were several weaknesses that needed to be given attention, among them amendment to clauses in contracts not done properly and late signing of procurement contracts, between 21 and 157 days.

To ovecome these weaknesses, the report recommend actions like monitoring ambulance maintenance and ensuring amendments to clauses in contracts be done properly and vetted by the Attorney-General's Chambers or legal advisors.

It added that the ministry also needed to dispose off ambulances that were  not repaired and left idle to avoid space congestion and continued depreciation besides ensuring ambulances were always in tip-top condition.

Meanwhile, the audit also found that from 2010 till 2012, there was excess expenditure of RM24.52 million for the ministry's nursing training programme, with RM12.26 million to cover allowances for trainee nurses in 2010 and the balance for emoluments of officers of nursing colleges.

An audit done on the programme from June till September last year found it to be satisfactory but there were a few things that needed to be remedied among them vacant positions not filled and appointment of teaching staff not following guidelines set by the Nursing Board of Malaysia.

Also payment for sewing uniforms and allowances of outsourcing students were not according to the contract; there was no guidelines on debtors control; no approval was given by the authorities for sewing fees, uniform allowances and student travelling claims; facilities and teaching aids were obsolete and inadequate, and there were weaknesses in the contract for security control.

In order to overcome the weaknesses and ensure that the nursing training programmes are carried out properly and efficiently, the report recommended that the ministry consider taking the following actions:

i. Take immediate action in allocating and posting of instructors;

ii. Ensure that conditions on the appointment of instructors are consistent with the requirements of the Civil Service Commission and the Nursing Board of Malaysia to ensure standard quality teaching for all institutions that offer nursing programmes in Malaysia;

iii. Require the private nursing colleges involved in outsourcing programme to repay the value of the uniform that did not comply with the provision of the contract;

iv. Establish latest guidelines and procedures on debtor management and take appropriate action to address the outstanding debt;

v. Ensure that allowances and benefits provided to students are approved by the authorities;

vi. Give due attention to facilities, infrastructure and teaching aids; and

vii. Thoroughly review the terms of contract to ensure that the government’s interest is protected before each contract is signed.

- Bernama