BATU PAHAT: The Health Ministry (MOH) has approved a special allocation of RM1.8mil to upgrade facilities at Hospital Sultanah Nora Ismail (HSNI) in an effort to strengthen healthcare service delivery for Batu Pahat district residents.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (pic) said the allocation includes an additional RM800,000 on top of the original amount, with a focus on upgrading HSNI’s Visitor Centre, as well as improving the hospital’s existing infrastructure and assets.
He said the funds will also cover the procurement of medical and non-medical equipment, along with paving works at the hospital’s parking area to enhance the comfort of patients and visitors.
ALSO READ: Cutting down on wait time
“MOH’s main focus is to ensure that healthcare facilities at the grassroots level are continuously improved in line with current developments,” he said in a post on his official X account yesterday, after concluding a two-day working visit to Batu Pahat on Saturday.
In addition, Dzulkefly said RM3.421mil has been allocated to upgrade four health clinics in the district, namely the Parit Yaani Health Clinic, Seri Gading Health Clinic, Tongkang Pechah Health Clinic and Parit Raja Health Clinic, to ensure a more equitable distribution of healthcare resources.
Dzulkefly said the country’s current stability has enabled the government to manage the economy effectively despite challenges such as the global energy crisis, allowing continued investment in the healthcare sector for the benefit of the people.
ALSO READ: Patients recall hours-long wait at hospitals
He had visited the four health clinics from Friday before continuing his visit to HSNI on Saturday, Bernama reported.
Established in 1894, HSNI currently operates with a capacity of 610 beds and serves over 500,000 residents in the Batu Pahat area, making it one of the busiest hospitals in Johor after Johor Baru.
Among the services offered at HSNI are emergency care, paediatric, anaesthesiology, orthopaedic, as well as psychiatry and mental health services.
During the visit, Dzulkefly inspected several key facilities, including the proposed site for the Day Treatment Unit, medical wards, the Emergency Department and the Radiology Department, to assess the hospital’s readiness and the quality of services provided.
Also present were Johor Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon, Sri Gading MP Aminolhuda Hassan, Batu Pahat MP Onn Abu Bakar, Penggaram assemblyman Gan Peck Cheng, Johor Health Department director Dr Mohtar Pungut and HSNI director Dr Fairoz Azlim Muslim.
