Seberang Jaya Hospital to get 316 extra beds and car park complex

Dedicated lot: Dr Hilmi presenting hampers to a group of nurses who are on duty over the Hari Raya festive period at the Penang Hospital. — Bernama

BUTTERWORTH: The RM400mil upgrading project at the Seberang Jaya Hospital is currently underway and is expected to be completed by 2021.

Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya said the hospital now has 393 beds and 1,960 staff but was unable to accommodate the annual increase in number of patients.

“The population in this district is large and require a bigger hospital. It will get an additional 316 beds once the upgrading work is completed,” he said on Sunday.

Dr Hilmi said the project to upgrade the 20-year-old hospital was proof that the Federal Government was striving to improve the standard of services needed by the people.

On the issue of insufficient parking space at the hospital, Dr Hilmi said he was currently discussing the matter with the hospital authorities to build a multi-storey car park.

Earlier, the Balik Pulau MP visited hospitals in Penang to show his appreciation to the doctors, medical officials and hospital staff for working during the Hari Raya period.

He also handed over goodie bags, Hari Raya cookies and hampers to over 1,000 staff of six public hospitals, namely Balik Pulau Hospital, the Penang Hospital, Sungai Bakap Hospital, Bukit Mertajam Hospital, Kepala Batas Hospital and Seberang Jaya Hospital.

“This is our way of showing appreciation to our dedicated medical staff who could not make it home to celebrate Aidilfitri with their families due to work commitment,” he said. — Bernama