Health Ministry needs to upgrade medical facilities in the state, says Johor Ruler

JOHOR BARU: Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar wants the Health Ministry to upgrade its medical services, facilities and improve the cleanliness of hospitals in the state.

His Majesty emphasised the need for such improvements when he granted an audience to Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa at the Bukit Serene Palace here on Sunday (Feb 19).

"Medical services in Johor are in dire need of improvements.

"The ministry should also urgently look into building a 1,500-bed capacity new hospital in Johor through a private financing initiative," he said in a post on his official Facebook page.

He noted that Dr Zaliha, who was also Sekijang MP, was the first woman to be appointed as the Health Minister in the Cabinet under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Permaisuri Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah was also present at the meeting.

The audience with Sultan Ibrahim and Raja Zarith Sofiah was also attended by the ministry’s secretary-general Datuk Harjeet Singh Hardev Singh, Johor health and unity committee chairman Ling Tian Soon, women, family and community development committee chairman Khairin-Nisa Ismail and Johor health department director Datuk Dr Aman Rabu.

Earlier, Dr Zaliha launched the Wellness Hub initiative at Hospital Sultanah Aminah to promote healthy lifestyle and habits in the community.