Ling (right) visiting the site of Taman Cendana health clinic in Pasir Gudang which is expected to be completed by March 2025. — Filepic
JOHOR is expected to receive a total of 28 new ambulances by the end of 2025, says state health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon.
That number includes four worth RM2mil for Tangkak, Mersing, Batu Pahat and Kota Tinggi, which was previously announced by Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi during the tabling of Johor Budget 2025.
Ling said the remaining 21 ambulances would be allotted to various health clinics across the state to improve healthcare services for the people.
In addition, he said the state had secured funding for three ambulances for health clinics in Majidee, Gelang Patah and Tebrau.
“The ambulances are expected to arrive next year,” he said in his winding-up speech during the Johor State Assembly sitting.
Ling, who is also Yong Peng assemblyman, said the lack of ambulances was a major problem, even in his own constituency.
“The ambulance issue was raised by several assemblymen throughout the state assembly sitting.
“Sometimes, it takes as long as two to four hours for an ambulance to respond to an emergency, which could lead to all kinds of unwanted consequences.
“As such, we have worked towards getting additional ambulances,” he said.
On a separate matter, Ling said the construction of several health clinics in Johor had been expedited.
He said these new facilities included Taman Cendana health clinic in Pasir Gudang which was expected to be completed by March next year at a cost of RM35.3mil.
In Segamat, a health clinic costing RM26.1mil is expected to be completed by around the same period.
The Bandar Kota Tinggi health clinic was scheduled to be completed in February next year at a cost of RM24.6mil.
Ling said the Taman Cendana and Segamat health clinics could accommodate between 500 and 800 patients per day, while the Bandar Kota Tinggi health clinic could accommodate between 300 and 500 patients.
He said two other health clinics expected to be built in Parit Raja and Bandar Kluang were in the tender process.
“These clinics will be able to accommodate 300 to 500 patients and 500 to 800 patients daily respectively,” he said.
He revealed that Hospital Pasir Gudang was also scheduled to open next March.
“This will help reduce overcrowding at Hospital Sultanah Aminah and Hospital Sultan Ismail,” he said.
