KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Health has requested for an additional 140 new beds in the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP) for use in Langkawi Hospital to overcome congestion in the hospital.
Deputy Health Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya said it was to meet the needs of approximately 120,000 inhabitants and tourists on the island, deemed more pressing at the moment.
“The ministry understands the problem, with a growing population and tourists, the need is greater.
“For this purpose we have made an urgent request for 140 new beds under the 11MP,” he said in reply to a question by Datuk Nawawi Ahmad (BN-Langkawi) at the Dewan Rakyat here today.
To alleviate overcrowding at present, the ministry had allocated a ‘standby fee’ of RM60,000 a month to transfer emergency cases to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital via water ambulance, he added.
On average there are 15 to 30 emergency cases referred to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital each month and transferred from the Kuah Jetty at Kuala Kedah costing RM3,500 for each case.
Currently there are 110 beds at Langkawi Hospital and the bed occupancy rate is 90 per cent, he said.--BERNAMA
SYASA TVKB CJ 25/05/2015 12-35ST