The slogan dulu, kini dan selamanya (then, now and forever more) is not just applicable to the Barisan Nasional's aim to remain in power, but also to persistent shortcomings in healthcare services.

Deputy Health Minister Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad quoted the slogan in his response to a supplementary question from Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) during the Question session in the Dewan Rakyat this morning.

Bung Moktar said he was not happy with the healthcare facilities in his constituency. He asked about the ministry's action to fill vacancies for skilled and semi-skilled positions at a health centre in Tongod and the proposal to set up nurses' training centre, as well as health clinics.

In reply, Abdul Latiff said the vacancies would be filled in stages, but that there is no proposal to set up a nurses' training centre. He also told the House that there are three new health training centres in Sabah currently.

The backbencher, obviously dissatisfied with the reply, pursued his question by criticising the ministry's policies. However, Abdul Latiff stressed that, under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, the focus will be on upgrading healthcare facilities in rural areas.

"The (health) problems will not be resolved... if YB Kinabatangan (Bung Moktar) is not a people's representative, he will not settle these problems either because health problems are dulu, kini dan selamanya .

"As long as there are humans, there will be healthy and unhealthy people...there will be relevance to the health ministry and the Barisan Nasional government, okay?" he said bluntly.

The vocal backbencher then shouted across the floor: "If the problems are not resolved, the health ministry (should be seen as) not relevant."

However, Speaker Ramli Ngah Talib moved on the next question on the Order List, bringing the matter to an end.