Both sides of Jalan Residensi outside Penang Hospital in George Town taken up by parked cars. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
ONGOING upgrading works at both Penang and Seberang Jaya hospitals are taking a heavy toll on patients and visitors, as they struggle to find parking.
With sections of both compounds fenced off for construction and most of the remaining bays said to be taken up by staff vehicles, desperate drivers have been forced to double-park or leave their cars along main roads, risking getting a summons just to send loved ones for treatment.
Muhammad Fadzil hopes the authorities will find a solution soon.At Penang Hospital, the problem is particularly acute, with narrow access lanes and heavy traffic turning every visit into a test of patience.
Muhammad Fadzil Wahab, 43, who drove from Perlis, said he had to park by the roadside while accompanying his 63-year-old mother for chemotherapy.
“We come once or twice a month and I was here as early as 7am but it made no difference.
“Every space is taken up, mostly by staff.
“I just hope the authorities find a solution soon,” said the farmer.
He said his mother’s treatment schedule depended on specialist’s availability, so postponing appointments was not an option.
Muhammad Subri Ramli, 29, from Gurun, Kedah, said it took him over an hour to find a space before he finally parked along the main road.
“My nine-year-old son is being admitted for surgery.
“We arrived at 6.30am after staying overnight at a budget hotel, but still couldn’t find parking,” he said while helping his wife Ummunoor Zafirah Abu Kassim unload their bags.
Jaysree urges Penang Hospital to consider a shuttle service for patients.For Jaysree Menon, 57, every appointment at Penang Hospital has become a dreaded routine.
“Imagine spending almost two hours searching for parking when my husband is physically challenged.
“I usually drop him off first, then park about 300m away, still along the main road.
“I also have health issues, but I have to endure it.
“A shuttle service for patients would help a lot – the hospital should seriously consider that.”
Retiree Paul Lim and his wife, who have their medical check-ups at Penang Hospital but collect medication from Seberang Jaya Hospital, said congestion was equally bad on the mainland.
“They should have planned more bays or a bigger multi-storey carpark at Penang Hospital from the start,” he said.
“Seberang Jaya Hospital is no better. The parking area is full even by 7am, so my wife and I take turns collecting our medication,” he said.
State Health Department director Datuk Dr Fazilah Shaik Allaudin said discussions were underway with the state government, Health Ministry and Penang island and Seberang Perai city councils to find immediate ways to ease congestion.
“Penang Hospital will have multi-storey carparks once upgrading works are completed and about 400 parking bays will be available when the Women and Children’s Block is completed in 2027.
“Seberang Jaya Hospital on the other hand will have more open-parking space as no new multi-storey carpark is planned there.
“We will make a public announcement once alternative measures to ease congestion are in place,” she said.
The ongoing RM758mil Penang Hospital expansion – one of the largest in the country – involves construction of a 14-storey specialist and wards block, Women and Children’s Block and Stem Cell Centre.
Once completed in 2029, the hospital will have an additional 976 beds and 1,000 parking bays.
At Seberang Jaya Hospital, a RM500mil upgrade started earlier this year to add a 10-storey clinical block, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) wards, new outpatient and emergency departments as well as additional open-space parking.
