JOHOR BARU: Johor's Hospital Pasir Gudang (HPG) will open to the public in phases starting in July, says Ling Tian Soon.
The state health and environment committee chairman said that its emergency and trauma department and general surgery department would begin operations next month.
"The 304-bed hospital, which will feature 14 specialist clinics, is expected to be fully operational by next year.
"We want to ensure all clinics are ready, in terms of equipment and staff, before welcoming patients in stages," he said on Monday (June 16) after attending an aid handover programme at Southern University College.
Ling said positions such as hospital director and deputy director have been appointed, and the process is ongoing to fill more than 1,800 vacancies approved by the Health Ministry.
He added that the state has requested the ministry to station doctors and nurses at HPG or transfer them from other healthcare facilities, which will take time.
Construction of the RM380mil HPG began in 2020 but faced significant setbacks due to the Covid-19 pandemic and other restrictions.
The physical structure of the facility was completed earlier this year.
