JOHOR BARU – The construction of two new hospitals in Pasir Gudang and Kempas here is expected to help ease congestion, especially in the state’s two main hospitals, namely Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) and Sultan Ismail Hospital (HSI).
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said Pasir Gudang Hospital, which is 40% complete, is expected to be fully completed by November next year.
The construction of Sultanah Aminah 2 Hospital will be officially announced during the tabling of Budget 2023 on October 28, he said.
“With these two new hospitals… We will add more than 700 new beds for Johor Baru city and its surrounding areas,” he said.
“This can reduce congestion in existing hospitals, especially HSA, and more importantly, it can cater to the needs of the very dense population in Johor Baru city,” he told reporters after the launch of the state-level Healthy Malaysia National Agenda tour in Bandar Dato Onn here today.
Khairy said Johor Baru has an estimated two million residents, including those from other districts seeking the services of medical specialists in this city.
He said cases from other districts in the state are referred to Johor Baru, adding that the two new hospitals are a much-needed investment to provide better health services in the state.
“Now there is approximately 90% occupancy at HSA and HSI. This is quite high for public hospitals,” he added.
Meanwhile, on the tour, Khairy said he hoped that the national health screening initiative under the programme will provide Malaysians a platform to cultivate control of their health.
He urged the state government to help eligible individuals undergo health screenings for early detection of non-communicable diseases and allow them to be monitored by district health offices.
About 130,000 people in the state are expected to participate in the free health screening programme, which was launched last month.
Also present at the launch were Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, and Johor Health Director Datuk Dr Aman Rabu. – Bernama, August 12, 2022
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