Health Minister Dr S Subramaniam has given an assurance that the issue of budget cuts at hospitals and clinics is under control.

Subramaniam said this in response to whether budget cuts had been affecting diagnostic tests and supplies at hospitals.

Admitting that funds had indeed been cut, Subramaniam, however, said that most hospitals did not have an adequate amount of supplies.

“Some hospitals, because of their heavy burden, they would have run out of supplies,” he said in a press conference after officiating the 'Clean, Safe and Healthy Canteen Awards' in Shah Alam today.

Subramaniam had directed the ministry’s secretary-general, Dr Chen Chaw Ming, to identify the affected hospitals for them to be given additional funding.

“So, the issue should be under control.

“I don't think we would have any problem in ensuring that there is continuity of care in all hospitals and clinics under the care of the ministry of health," he added.

Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah had admitted that the ministry faced challenges in providing healthcare services with restricted resources.

The ministry’s yearly allocation was slashed by between RM250 million and RM300 million earlier this year.

A hospital circular purportedly issued by Klang’s Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital stated that the hospital had to temporarily suspend blood tests at its pathological department due to a shortage of funds to purchase related medical supplies.

However, Selangor Health Department director Dr Zailan Adnan said the temporary halt on blood tests conducted by the hospital only affected those done for instructional purposes and not for emergency or treatment purposes.

Meanwhile, on another matter, Subramaniam said there had been 153 cases of reported food poisoning involving students this year.

Those affected totalled more than 6,000 students, he said.

Commenting on the high number of students affected, Subramaniam said it was important for canteen operators to take the necessary steps in ensuring the high quality of food served.

Eleven thousand checks had been conducted throughout school and hostel canteens and as a result, 64 premises had been closed.

“(On action taken), it’s either we close or give these places warnings. We have issued a total of 332 notices of offences,” Subramaniam added.