GEORGE TOWN: Penang will see a significant upgrade of its public healthcare infrastructure under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), with six new or replacement clinics and health complexes planned across the state.
The projects were detailed after Gooi Hsiao-Leung (PH–Bukit Tengah) asked about the short- and long-term challenges faced by Penang’s public healthcare system at the state assembly.
Responding on behalf of the Chief Minister, state health committee chairman Daniel Gooi said Penang must expand and modernise its healthcare network to cope with rising demand and congestion in both urban and semi-urban areas.
Under the 13MP, Penang is proposing the replacement of the Kubang Semang Health Complex, Jalan Perak Health Complex, Butterworth Health Clinic, Bukit Panchor Health Complex, a new Type 2 Health Clinic in Batu Maung, and the replacement of the Machang Bubok Health Clinic.
“These facilities will strengthen service delivery, increase capacity and allow the state to meet future healthcare needs better,” he said.
Gooi said Penang’s biggest immediate challenge is the shortage of healthcare personnel across hospitals and clinics.
“The state faces shortages of medical officers, specialists, nurses, assistant medical officers, allied health staff and support personnel. This issue affects the entire country, but Penang feels it more due to higher patient volume,” he said.
Hospitals have been adopting cluster-based staff rotation to manage manpower gaps while updating staffing data regularly for the Health Ministry to facilitate new postings.
He added that the Penang Health Department (JKNPP) continues to optimise existing services and push for the approval of new development projects and medical equipment.
Recent upgrades include the completion of the multi-storey block at Seberang Jaya Hospital, which added 316 beds and expanded paediatric cardiology services.
On the island, two major projects are under development at Penang Hospital: the Specialist Clinic and Ward Block and the Women and Children’s Block, both of which will increase specialist clinics, ward beds, operating theatres and overall service capacity.
Gooi said hospitals across the state are also preparing their own service and development plans to guide long-term expansion.
“These combined efforts will help strengthen Penang’s healthcare system and ensure better access and capacity in the years ahead,” he said.
