KAMPAR: The existing Kampar Hospital is more of a health clinic than a hospital, says A. Sivanesan.
"It was a hospital when it was built about 70 years ago," said the Perak health committee chairman.
"When visitors come to the hospital, they often talk about how good the staff are but the complaints will be made about the facilities at the premises," he said after visiting the Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Hospital here on Thursday (Mar 2).
"I hope the Health Ministry will channel help for hospitals in Perak," he added.
Sivanesan had last year reportedly said that a new district hospital would be built here.
StarMetro had also reported about Kampar folk wanting a better health facility than the existing hospital.
Sivanesan said Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa needed to visit the current Kampar Hospital.
"I am aware that as a minister, she is busy but the issue of Kampar Hospital is not a simple matter. It is about health," he said, adding that the Sekijang MP had twice cancelled a scheduled meeting with him.
"I am not complaining about Dr Zaliha, but I hope she will come here, visit the hospital and see herself how crucial the situation is," he added.
Sivanesan also said that several other hospitals in the state are also in need of help.
"The previous health minister Khairy Jamaluddin had visited the emergency unit at Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh and saw how much it needed an upgrade.
"At the time of his visit, he said that he would approve a RM6.5mil budget for renovations at the emergency unit, but nothing has been done," he said, adding that he would keep letters to the health minister to request for a meeting.
