KUALA TERENGGANU: After five years of construction, the state-of-the-art Kuala Terengganu Specialist (KTS) Hospital finally opened its doors recently.
The RM184 million, eight-storey facility on a 34,000 sq metre plot at Jalan Sultan Mohamad in Batu Burok offers a variety of healthcare services, and replaces the cramped and ill-equipped 33-bed hospital at Jalan Kamaruddin, which had been unable to cope with patient demands.
But the road to full operation was a bumpy one for KTS.
Its general manager, Abel Ahing, said that the original plan was to have the hospital ready by October last year, but several stumbling blocks stood in the way.
“As a first-class hospital, (we had to ensure that parameters set by the) Malaysian Medical Association; (and Health Ministry) guidelines on fees and procedures were met, before we began operations.
“(It took us a while, but) we can now move forward and provide much-needed, comprehensive healthcare to the people.
“(Firstly), KTS will help reduce congestion and dependence at the main government referral hospital – the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital – and act as an alternative platform for specialised and personalised first-class healthcare,” said Abel, an information technology specialist who was roped in from KTS’ parent company TDM Berhad to oversee operations.
He was speaking during the hospital’s ‘Festival of Firsts’, which saw more than 10,000 people visit the hospital for a first-hand look at the facilities available.
“The hospital’s opening was a significant milestone for KTS, as it reflected our commitment to provide excellent healthcare services to the people of Terengganu.
“KTS is equipped with the highest-quality of medical care and equipment, with the latest technology.
“These include dental, cardiology, cathlab, laser aesthetics, executive screening, diabetic care, physiotherapy and rehabilitation, deep-tissue laser therapy and electro-muscular stimulation,” said Abel.
Other medical services and facilities available include cardiac, paediatric, skin, ear-nose-and-throat, cancer, diabetic, dieting, endoscopic, pathology, vacular, surgical theatre, intensive care orthodontics, gastroenterology, general medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, orthopaedic, 24-hour emergency, laboratory, pharmacy, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography scan, digital mammogram, ultrasound, fluroscopy and X-ray.
Abel said that to date, KTS has 220 staff members, including 13 resident consultants, and a host of specialists.
It is learnt that when fully functional, KTS could generate up to RM300,000 a day, with 20 per cent of revenue going towards payment of medical staff, 40 per cent for overheads and about 35 per cent for incidental expenses.
The new KTS Hospital will have 130 sea view- and sunset-view beds, five operating theatres, five maternity rooms, one testing laboratory, one intensive care unit with 12 beds, one infant care unit with 19 beds and 25 ultra-modern clinics to complement a host of specialists and consultants.
"In short, the hospital will have all the modern, sophisticated and latest equipment to offer top-notch, quality healthcare at affordable rates.
"In fact, the hospital is designed to meet European and American standards with single rooms for patients to offer privacy, and prevent the spread of contagious diseases,” Abel added.
KTS Hospital is managed by Kumpulan Medic Iman Sdn Bhd, a healthcare division of state-owned TDM Berhad, which also operates the Kuantan Medical Centre in Pahang, the Kelana Jaya Medical Centre in Petaling Jaya, and the Taman Desa Medical Centre in Kuala Lumpur.