JOHOR BARU: About 80% of the 1,200-odd beds at Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA) here are worn out, with some having been in service for more than 50 years.
In view of this, the state government will undertake a large-scale bed replacement exercise to improve patients’ comfort, said Johor health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon.
“At present, HSA has 1,206 beds in use but 969 of them are worn out, with many having been in use since the 1970s.
“The state government has successfully secured 860 new beds through contributions and support from various parties, including non-governmental organisations and private companies.
“The commitment shown by these parties has enabled us to collect beds for various uses, including the intensive care unit and paediatric department,” he said after receiving 200 beds from the Fo Guang Shan Association, a religious NGO, here yesterday.
“Many NGOs had expressed interest in contributing beds earlier, but there was a shortage in the market so many suppliers found it necessary to import the beds and place orders well in advance, which takes time,” Ling said.
Much-needed upgrade: Ling (centre) receiving a donation of 200 beds from the Fo Guang Shan Association on behalf of the state government at the Women’s Medical Ward 1 in HSA.
He said the state will also continue working to upgrade HSA’s medical equipment to enhance services, and that the state welcomes assistance from all sectors in making the 140-year-old hospital more conducive to patient care.
“Our goal is to equip HSA, one of the oldest hospitals in the country, with modern facilities in every ward, especially in the main building.”
Ling noted that depending exclusively on allocations from the Health Ministry is impractical given that the ministry has other pressing priorities, including maintenance and overtime payments for healthcare workers.
