BALIK PULAU: The newly-built RM30mil Air Putih Health Clinic boasts comprehensive health services and also has staff quarters, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
He said the clinic was completed on Oct 31.
"It started operating on Feb 26 to replace the original Air Putih Health Clinic, which catered to only mothers and children and could no longer meet the needs of the people here.
"The new Health Clinic offers comprehensive services covering outpatient treatment, mother and child health services, a dental clinic, emergency treatment, a pharmacy and diagnostic laboratory, among others.
"It can accommodate up to 500 patients per day which will greatly improve healthcare services in Balik Pulau," he said after opening the clinic here on Friday (June 7).
He said the clinic is equipped with 16 units of staff quarters as well.
"As this clinic is now in operation, the outpatient department at Hospital Balik Pulau has closed and patients have been referred to this clinic.
"This has improved the services at the hospital as there are now 15 specialist clinics that will operate in the space previously used for the outpatient department.
"This will reduce congestion at the hospital and allow faster and more efficient specialist treatment," he said, adding that the new clinic took almost five years to build.
Earlier in the morning, Dzulkefly visited the Bayan Lepas Health Clinic, which will be rebuilt on its current site with a budget of RM72mil.
"(The Health Ministry) has received approval for the project from the Economy Ministry and has appointed the Public Works Department to carry out this project.
"It will take three years to complete.
"In the meantime, existing clinic services will be moved to temporary premises," he said.
Dzulkefly said he planned to meet Penang leaders and people's representatives later on Friday to discuss the health roadmap and development of health facilities in the state.
"The discussion will be specifically related to the development of Hospital Penang, including recommendations to solve overcrowding and the lack of parking space there," he said.
