BUTTERWORTH: Construction of another 66 new public healthcare facilities has been added into the Works Ministry’s to-do list, bringing the total number of healthcare facilities to be built under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) to 236.
The latest 66 projects are located at sites throughout the country and come under the Fifth Rolling Plan under the 12MP (2021-2025), with an estimated cost of RM2.4bil, said Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
He said the ministry’s Public Works Department, specifically the Health Works branch, was earlier mandated to build 170 healthcare facilities nationwide with an allocation of RM16.47bil.
“Of that, 62 projects are in the pre-construction phase with an estimated cost of RM4.05bil while 64 projects are currently in the construction phase with a value of RM7.88bil.
“The remaining 44 are completed, involving a cost of RM4.54bil,” he said in his speech during the handover ceremony of the multi-storey block construction project at Hospital Seberang Jaya (HSJ) here yesterday.
Nanta and Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad witnessed the handover to Health Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Suriani Ahmad.
According to Nanta, the 10-storey block was an important project for Penang, initiated under the Second Rolling Plan of the 10th Malaysia Plan (2011-2015).
He said from the 9th Malaysia Plan to the 12th, construction of 12 healthcare facilities was planned at a cost of RM1.31bil in Penang. Of those, five are in the planning stage, five more are under construction, and two are complete.
Meanwhile, Nanta said the new block has created 316 beds.
This volume represents a 77% increase from the existing capacity of 413 beds, bringing the total capacity to 729 beds.
The new block will be operational in stages with six operating theatres and seven multi-disciplinary wards, including an intensive care unit and a high dependency unit.
State health committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen was also present.
Dzulkefly said HSJ would become the referral centre for paediatric cardiothoracic and cardiology services in the northern region, reducing the strain on Penang Hospital on the island.
Other key medical services include otorhinolaryngology (ear, nose and throat) and rehabilitation medicine.
On addressing hospital congestion issues, Dzulkefly said it needs a more holistic approach rather than merely physical construction.
“This includes preventive activities, early screening and follow-up treatments that can be carried out at health clinics.
“Preventive care must take precedence, not just curative care,” he added.
