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MoH studies all 'sick' projects, seeking to expedite healthcare facilities

SEGAMAT: The Health Ministry will re-examine all its "sick" projects involving various public amenities and facilities including construction of hospitals.

Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said a pragmatic reassessment needed to be done more closely before deciding on any form of action.

"I have been given an explanation on the matter, although not in detail, and I need to look at the kind of 'sick' (condition that the projects are in).

"We have to look at them one by one, including any complaints raised, before the issues could be addressed (as) it was not a simple matter," she said at a press conference at the Segamat Hospital during her first work visit after being appointed to the cabinet.

She said such study "would allow the ministry to determine the best cure administered to the sick".

Also present were ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, secretary-general Datuk Harjeet Singh, state health and unity commitee chairman Ling Tian Soon and state health director Datuk Dr Aman Rabu.

The ministry had previously identified 13 sick projects nationwide due to delay in completion, including hospital construction.

Former minister Khairy Jamaluddin had in September said the ministry was working closely with the Works Ministry in seeking solutions to expedite the process by appointing contractors to save the projects.

Meanwhile, Dr Zaliha, who is also Sekijang member of parliament in her maiden visit also stopped by the RM90.5 million project for additional building at the Segamat Hospital.

She said the building, expected to start operation next year, would have four operating theatres, Intensive Care Unit and Respiratory and Hydrodynamic Unit.

"With the facilities at the new block, Segamat Hospital will be able to expand its services and cater to about 223,000 people in the district," she added.

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