ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor wants to build a brand-new hospital in Kempas to complement existing government medical facilities.
The Johor Health Department, with the support of the Health Ministry, is in the process of getting the Hospital Sultanah Aminah 2 project included in the upcoming Federal budget, said Johor health and unity committee chairman Ling Tian Soon (pic).
He said the state government has made the mega project its main priority and a plot of 207.5ha land in Kempas has been identified for it.
"A budget of RM500mil is required to build the hospital, which also comprises specialist clinics, staff quarters and the department's office.
"We plan to build the hospital building with a capacity of 350 beds and specialist clinics in the first phase once it is approved," he said when met outside the state assembly in Kota Iskandar here Thursday (June 23).
Ling added the Health Ministry has paid the premium for the land and the state government is working with local authorities to empty the land, which is currently occupied by squatters.
"Once the project is successfully included into the 12th Malaysia Plan and the land issues are resolved, we hope to begin the tender process next year in order to start construction as early as 2024.
"A hospital typically takes about three years to complete," he said, adding that the proposed hospital would be a good addition to the existing medical facilities including Hospital Pasir Gudang which is on track for completion in 2024.
Ling said the existing Hospital Sultanah Aminah in Johor Baru would be upgraded, which includes building a new polyclinic building to replace the old one and to upgrade parking facilities.
