MOH says vape boss' hospital board appointment an oversight

Summary

• Dzulkefly Ahmad admits that appointing vape entrepreneur Adzwan Ab Manas to Rembau Hospital’s board of visitors was an oversight in the vetting process, as the appointee’s career conflicted with Health Ministry policies.

• The health minister promises to review and refine the nationwide hospital board appointment process.

Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said that the appointment of vape entrepreneur Adzwan Ab Manas to the Rembau Hospital board of visitors was an oversight.

In a statement today, Dzulkefly (above) said that the ministry, state health excos and community leaders received 2,860 nominations from various parties for 143 hospitals nationwide.

“Every nomination that was elevated to me had undergone a vetting process, taking into consideration assessments and endorsements, or recommendations from respective state representatives.

“However, in this matter, there was an oversight in the vetting process, whereby the appointee’s career had conflict of interest elements with the ministry’s health policies.

“For your information, that individual is no longer serving as a board member of the Rembau Hospital,” Dzulkefly added.

He concurred that the oversight had left a huge impact on the general perception towards the ministry, and assured that the appointment process for hospital board members nationwide will be reviewed and refined in terms of eligibility criteria and contributions to the local community, which align with the country’s public health policies.

“Together with the ministry, I am committed to continue strengthening the integrity and credibility of the country’s health system, including through the appointment of appropriate, credible and principled community representatives,” Dzulkefly added.

‘Never held position’

Adzwan, a prominent figure in the vape industry, yesterday claimed that he never held a position on the Rembau Hospital’s board of visitors, following widespread backlash over his alleged appointment.

He told Malaysiakini that he resigned from the board on the same day he was made aware of his appointment by the ministry, on June 23.

“The (appointment) letter (from the ministry) stated that my tenure came into effect on Jan 1 and was supposed to end on Dec 31, 2027, but I was only informed of the matter last month.

“I attended a meeting (with the hospital) later that day and resigned.

“In other words, I never even accepted the appointment,” said the Malaysia Retail Electronic Cigarette Association president.

A board of visitors in a hospital typically liaises between the hospital and the community to disseminate information about the services provided.

The board also addresses challenges in service delivery and patient welfare, as well as coordinates financial assistance and donations.

Adzwan also believed that his involvement in the vape industry was not a consideration behind the appointment, noting that the post would not have provided him any financial benefits.

“Any member of the public can be appointed to a hospital’s board of visitors (as) its main task is to act on behalf of patients to ensure they receive the best treatment from the hospital,” he added.

He also said his social media post on June 23, where he shared an image of the appointment letter with the caption “in service of the nation”, was meant as a sarcastic jab.

However, he did not clarify who the taunt was directed at.

Negative perception

In a Facebook post on June 3, Adzwan said he resigned from the board after considering the negative perceptions that could arise from his role in the vape industry.

His appointment incited controversy after preacher Firdaus Wong Abdullah claimed on social media that the move contradicts the aspirations of Dzulkefly, who has said the government is ready to revisit a plan to ban vape sales.

The preacher also shared a screenshot of Adzwan’s name on a list of those on the Rembau Hospital’s board of visitors.

Responding to the image, Adzwan claimed the Health Ministry had not updated the site following his resignation.

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