By Doreen Ling
KUCHING, Aug 23: The growth of private hospitals in Sarawak shows that the State is capable and ready to provide healthcare services that are both efficient and high quality.
During a press conference in which the audio recording was made available to the media, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg congratulated the Board of Medical Centre (BMC) for taking over Columbia Asia Hospital in Bintulu, which has been renamed the Kemena Pacific Hospital.
“BMC has expanded its wings not only in Kuching, but also in Sibu, Miri, and now Bintulu. This shows that we are ready to provide healthcare from private hospitals, and this also shows that our healthcare will be more efficient,” he said.
Earlier, the Premier relaunched the Kemena Pacific Hospital in Bintulu today, which was streamed live with the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS).
“Bintulu is expanding fast; we have a lot of new investments in Bintulu. The foreigners who are investing here need a special and high standard of healthcare in Bintulu.
“For instance, the proposed polysilicon material company has about 200 engineers. And these engineers, every year, they have to have professional medical check-ups,” he said.
The facility was first established in 2010 as the town’s first private hospital to serve the oil and gas industry. While early expansion plans stalled, the hospital has been revitalised under the Sarawak-owned BMC Group, which has invested over RM100 million to take over and expand two hospitals in the State—Kemena Pacific Hospital in Bintulu and Selesa Pacific Hospital in Miri.
Supported by a staff of 137, the hospital will provide various services with a team of specialists and doctors covering fields such as orthopaedics, ENT, gynaecology, internal medicine, general surgery, and radiology, as well as occupational health medical check-ups and clinical psychology.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; Bintulu MP Dato Sri Tiong King Sing; Sarawak’s Minister of Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom; Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai; Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Project Coordinator for Regional Development Agencies, DBKU, and Islamic Affairs) Datuk Dr. Abdul Rahman Junaidi; Bintulu Division Resident Datu Nyurak Keti; general manager of Borneo Medical Group Dr Peter Tang Ing Bing; and chief medical services of Kemena Pacific Hospital Dr Thomas Lau Yun Guan were among those present at the event. — DayakDaily
