GEORGE TOWN: An official application for a government hospital to be built in Bayan Baru has been submitted to the Health Ministry, says Sim Tze Tzin.
The Bayan Baru MP said he handed over the letter to Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad during the minister’s visit to a health clinic here on Friday.
He said the request was made based on various factors, including the high population density in the constituency and its surroundings.
“The distance to the existing hospital, which is the Penang Hospital, is 19km away.
“The Balik Pulau Hospital is 17km away.
“This makes it difficult for patients, especially the elderly and chronically ill, to get immediate treatment,” he said.
Sim said another factor is the ageing population and pointed out that the Barat Daya district and Bayan Baru area recorded an increase in the elderly population, thus adding to the urgent need for comprehensive and easily accessible public healthcare facilities.
He said availability of land in the area is a major constraint.
The minister had suggested that the state government help identify and provide a suitable site for the project, he added.
