BUKIT MERTAJAM: The 135-year-old Bukit Mertajam Hospital (HBM) is slated for an upgrade to ease congestion, says Steven Sim.
The Human Resources Minister said the Health Ministry is conducting a detailed study on the design, cost and development plan before a decision is finalised.
"HBM is currently experiencing congestion, affecting not only patients and visitors but also traffic, due to a shortage of parking spaces. As a result, the Health Ministry, together with the state government and the hospital, is planning to upgrade the facility.
"The state government has agreed to provide a 3.2ha plot at BM Rest House, opposite the hospital, should it be deemed suitable for the upgrade," he told reporters after launching the accessible and community facilities at the hospital here Sunday (Sept 14).
Sim said the development plan, including the type of blocks to be built and services to be provided, is still subject to health Ministry's decision.
The Bukit Mertajam MP said HBM currently has 242 beds and that with the upgrade, the number could be doubled to provide better services for residents of Bukit Mertajam and nearby areas.
Sim added that he would meet Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad next week to discuss the matter and request that the planning and design process be expedited.
Earlier, he inspected new toilet facilities at the hospital, developed with a RM200,000 contribution from his office.
He also said that these facilities were among the key factors that earned HBM the Gold Award for the Most Sustainable Hospital at the Hospital Management Asia (HMA) 2025 awards held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on Sept 11.
"This hospital is one of the oldest in the region, and it is not easy to implement sustainability measures. However, their efforts have succeeded; for example, they have achieved nearly an 11% reduction in energy consumption and a carbon reduction of about 350 tonnes per year.
"These efforts not only contribute to environmental sustainability but also save nearly RM250,000 in operating costs annually," he said. - Bernama
