Plans underway to build new hospital in Kempas

ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor is likely to get a new hospital in Kempas soon 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, according to Johor health and unity committee chairman Ling Tian Soon.Ling, in his winding up speech during the state assembly sitting, said the state had made the mega project its main priority and a 207.5ha plot in Kempas had been identified for the hospital.

“A budget of RM500mil was required to build the hospital, which also comprised specialist clinics, staff quarters and the department’s office.

“We plan to build the hospital 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 yesterday.

Ling added the Health Ministry had paid for the land premium and the state government was working with local authorities to vacate the proposed land as it 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 the proposed hospital would be a good addition to the existing medical facilities including Hospital Pasir Gudang, which was on track for completion in 2024.

On the existing Hospital Sultanah Aminah in Johor Baru, Ling said the general hospital would be upgraded and work included building a new polyclinic building to replace the old one as well as to upgrade its parking facility.

Ling also advised parents of five-year-olds who missed out on the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme for Children (PICKids) to register their children via the MySejahtera app.