PADANG BESAR – The construction of Padang Besar Hospital will continue after several quarters, including Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad, showed interest in making the project a success.
Communications and Multimedia Deputy Minister Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin said the project had been approved by the previous government but has yet to proceed due to financial constraints.
“The project, estimated to cost RM400 million, will be equipped with a digital healthcare system managed by Telekom Malaysia and the Communications and Multimedia Ministry to make it the first fully digital hospital in Malaysia,” he told reporters at the handing out of food basket contributions for residents of the Chuping state constituency in Bukit Keteri today.
Zahidi, who is also the Padang Besar MP, said the project was currently at the discussion level and efforts were underway to find a suitable site for the hospital’s construction.
He said the hospital could accommodate 200 beds and would also be used as a teaching hospital for medical students from several local universities.
“This hospital will also enhance existing health services in Perlis, and boost the economy of the people around Padang Besar,” Zahidi said.
Conceived under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, the Padang Besar Hospital project was supposed to commence in 2018 but had to be postponed due to financial constraints.
In another development, Zahidi said the Padang Besar parliamentary service centre had distributed food aid to those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic over the last six months, with a total of 500 food baskets worth RM100 each handed out to recipients today. – Bernama, July 17, 2021
