BY ELLISIA TINGASS & NEVILLE TIMOTHY SANDERS
KUCHING: Sarawak appears to be back to square one in its push to get back its licence to import contraceptives for the family planning needs of lower income groups.
The Ministry of Health revoked the licence in 2021 but following numerous appeals and support given by Deputy Premier Datuk Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian it allowed the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) imports for another year.
“Then, on June 23, the SFPA sent an application to the Pharmacy Services Division in the ministry to import contraceptives for this year, however it has not been approved yet,” said Sarawak Family Planning Association (SFPA) medical chairman Dr Phillip Kho.
He has again turned to Dr Sim who is also Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister for help.
On Tuesday a disappointed Dr Sim said the licence will help families who are less fortunate (B40 group) in terms of family planning.
“It is very sad to find out about this because sometimes policy makers do not think far when they make an important decision, they need to realise how crucial this matter is,” he said.
He said this after witnessing the handover of medical equipment between the Japanese Embassy and SFPA here.
According to him IPPF is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that has been helping the community in getting affordable healthcare for the past 60 years.
“As the matter of fact, every year they contribute over RM500,000 for family planning.
“That being said, the contraceptive import licence is very important in order for the family planning service to be more affordable and way cheaper,” he said.
“Therefore, I will bring this matter to the MoH and for the record, this is one of the ongoing frustrations faced by Sarawakians.
“Such matters should be referred to the federal government, and what happened, it seems like they are also no help at all. Let the officers from the Sarawak Health Department (JKNS) make the decision,” he added.
Dr Kho said the SFPA wanted Dr Sim to help the association in getting the import licence.
“Or else, the IPPF’s commodities would be channelled to its other members globally and Malaysia would not have it.
“SFPA would lose out the most as it has the most number of contraceptive acceptors in IPPF, and SFPA would need to purchase the contraceptives locally at a higher cost price, which is actually more than the current selling price of our IPPF commodities.
“It would make family planning services less accessible, especially to the B40 and M40 clients,” he added.
