By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 30: The Sarawak government is allocating RM6.1 million for the building of field hospitals at Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) with 108-bed capacity and Miri Hospital with 100-bed capacity.
Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian pointed out that construction commenced early this month and is expected to complete by February 2023 for the field hospital at Miri Hospital and by April 2023 for the field hospital at SGH.
“These field hospitals shall be utilised to accommodate Covid-19 patients but in the future, these facilities can be expanded and be utilised as infectious disease wards or day care centres,” he told the august House when delivering his winding-up speech today.
On healthcare facilities development in Sarawak, Dr Sim who is also Deputy Premier, informed that the overall physical progress of Petra Jaya Hospital has reached 50.22 per cent as of Nov 25, 2022 with target completion scheduled in November 2024.
As for the additional block in Miri Hospital, he said it is at 38.51 per cent as at Nov 25, 2022 with completion targeted in April 2024.
“For the new Lawas Hospital, as at Nov 25, 2022, the physical progress is 21.97 per cent and is now scheduled to complete in December 2024.
“The Bandaraya Miri Health Clinic (Type 2) is expected to complete by the end of this year and is currently under the Testing and Commissioning process. As of Nov 25, 2022, the physical progress is 99.55 per cent.
“Siburan Health Clinic (Type 3) is expected to complete in March 2023. As of Nov 25, 2022, the physical progress is 89.6 per cent,” he said.
As for the Nanga Kemalih Health Clinic in Sarikei (Type 6), Dr Sim added that the facility is physically completed and Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak is currently carrying out the rectification works as recommended by Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Sarawak.
Dr Sim also disclosed that the new Sri Aman Hospital (HSA2), which was completed on May 19 and handed over to the Health Ministry on July 15 this year, has started operating on Sept 1.
“It has successfully performed the first laparoscopic procedure and the first laparotomy surgery on colon cancer patients. In addition, the first patient was scanned locally using the newly installed CT scan machine on Nov 8,” he explained. — DayakDaily
