THE Health Ministry will expand Penang Hospital by building two new blocks to cater to women and children.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said the RM250 million buildings were approved under the 10th Malaysian Plan.
Dr Subramaniam’s speech was read by his deputy Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya.
He said the hospital was also undergoing an upgrading project, which is now in phase two.
“Construction of the new blocks, which has received the nod from the Public Works Department, will begin next year,” he said during a visit to the hospital with Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas, recently.
He said the Penang Hospital had been allocated RM11.7 million to purchase medical and non-medical equipment under the government’s economic stimulus package.
“All these efforts by the government are meant to provide comprehensive, as well as quality services to patients. This is the government’s commitment to improve the health needs of the people,” he said.
Accompanying Rahman was his wife, Toh Puan Majimor Shariff. He was presented with a cake for his 76th birthday.
He said the upgrading project was crucial as the hospital had been getting more patients from Penang and neighbouring states.
“I hope the upgrading project will proceed smoothly so that the hospital can continue to provide efficient medical treatment and services to the people,” he said.
Last year, 328,809 patients received treatment at the hospital’s specialist clinics.
A total of 149,184 patients received treatment at the hospital’s emergency department and 38,786 surgeries were carried out.
Penang Hospital, which was built in 1812, is the oldest and second biggest hospital in the country.
Located on a 14ha site, the hospital has training centres and conducts research.