On his rounds: Anwar (left) speaking to some of the visitors at the hospital. — Bernama
JOHOR BARU: An immediate allocation of RM500mil has been set aside for Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA) here to carry out the first phase of upgrading works, including building a multi-storey car park, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the immediate allocation was aimed at further improving the quality of services at the healthcare institution.
“I am visiting this hospital after getting a report from Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa about a problem that has been going on for decades, which is overcrowding.
“Discussions were held, and the government has agreed to take immediate action,” he said during his working visit to the second busiest hospital in the country, after Hospital Kuala Lumpur, here yesterday.
He said the allocation has been approved by the Finance and Economy ministries.
“This project needs to be expedited.
“We want to do it this year, now if possible, because the congestion cannot be allowed any longer,” he told reporters.
Anwar said his administration also agreed to the original plan to upgrade, refurbish and construct several new health blocks in the hospital’s vicinity.
He said according to the plan, an area of about 40.4ha is sufficient.
“Therefore, we will build several high-rise building complexes to meet our needs.
“This project has been abandoned for a long time without any action (being taken).
“We need to have a ‘fast-track tender,’ we want to start now,” he added.
When asked about the planned Hospital Sultanah Aminah 2 (HSA 2) project, Anwar said that the government would focus on upgrading HSA before discussing HSA 2.
“That is part of the 12th Malaysia Plan mid-term review; we solve urgent problems first,” he added.
Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi thanked Anwar for the allocation.
“HSA is one of the busiest public hospitals in Malaysia, with (an average of) 2,134 outpatients and 460 patients in the emergency ward daily.
“Overcrowding is the main challenge here,” he said.
