JOHOR BARU: Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA), the second busiest public hospital in Malaysia, will see major upgrading works over the next two years.
Johor health and unity committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said among the upgrades to be carried out at the 86-year-old hospital included a new ambulatory care centre (ACC) and multi-storey car park.
He said this would be financed with the RM500mil funding announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on his visit to HSA last year.
Ling said in September, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni visited HSA to discuss the upgrading project, and check on the proposed ACC site within the hospital compound.“We have identified three old buildings within the hospital that will be rebuilt for the new ACC and multi-storey car park,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Ling said the Health Ministry recently held a meeting with the Public Works Department to discuss the upgrade, adding that the design and layout plan were on the agenda.
“The state government is hopeful that the project tender for the upgrading works at HSA will be issued by 2025 where physical work can commence in 2026.”
On upgrades for the hospital’s first-class ward, Ling said it is scheduled for completion by September next year.
“There is a bit of a delay as it does not only involve the first-class ward but the main hospital building too. Initially, the total allocation for the upgrading work was at RM143mil. We asked for an additional RM60mil, which has been approved,” he added.
Ling said upgrading work at the main building was being done to improve the electrical, mechanical and fire suppression systems.
Meanwhile, former Johor health department director Dr Selahudden Abd Aziz said the project is important as HSA is also the state’s first public hospital.“The infrastructure and manpower issue must be resolved as the hospital is very important to the public healthcare system here.“There must also be a plan to reduce the waiting period for those seeking outpatient treatment and for surgeries.”
