MELAKA: The construction of the Women and Children's Block of the Melaka Hospital is on track despite delays caused by a complicated and lengthy technical process involving various government agencies.
State Health, Human Resources and Unity Committee chairman Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem said that due to the delay, the cost of the project has risen to RM723mil, from the original cost of RM696mil.
"This is a federal government project under the Health Ministry and, certainly, the state government wants this project to be completed within the stipulated period, even earlier if possible, but it must be understood that there are many procedures that need to be followed and passed.
"Currently, the Health Works branch of the Public Works Department (JKR) Headquarters is finalising the Need Statement for this project through a workshop that will be held today and thereafter, the pre-tender process will commence as soon as the Need Statement is finalised," he said when met by reporters at Seri Negeri here on Tuesday (May 20).
He said this in response to a statement by the Opposition Leader in the State Assembly, Dr Mohd Yadzil Yaakub, on the construction of the Women and Children's Block of the Melaka Hospitaln and the need to expedite the project due to the congestion at the Melaka Hospital, where a child who was allegedly delayed in receiving treatment suffered a seizure.
Ngwe said the state government also wants the project, which is expected to start next year and scheduled for completion in 2031, to run smoothly immediately because it does not want the allocation approved in the 2023 Budget in October 2022 to be withdrawn.
"We hope that this project can be completed within five years, but it’s important to explain that several factors have contributed to the delays. These include the need to demolish the existing building, which is the Nursing Training Institute, road widening works, the land acquisition process, and obtaining various technical approvals from the Public Works Department, the Ministry of Health and related agencies,” he said.
He said each stage and process requires time, including the two-phase tender exercise, as the government is committed to appointing a contractor with proven capability and quality to implement the project. - Bernama
