KUALA KUBU BARU: The Kuala Kubu Baharu Hospital will undergo improvements to serve its residents better and reduce overcrowding issues in other hospitals.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the upgrades would involve infrastructure, medical and non-medical equipment replacement, and human resource needs.
He said they would be upgrading the emergency unit by assigning an emergency specialist starting next month.
"Right now, specialists from other hospitals would come here to assist. For example, a nephrologist (kidney specialist) from Selayang Hospital would visit once a month, followed by other specialists.
"We already have a general medical specialist here (since January), and we will also upgrade the pharmacy unit and public parking area.
"These (improvement) efforts will be continuous, not only in Kuala Kubu Baharu, but also in hospitals in other states facing similar issues, including Kuala Lumpur Hospital.
"The most important thing is to improve services at the hospital, and that is the challenge," he told press conference after a working visit to Kuala Kubu Baharu Hospital here today.
He highlighted the increasing number of visitors to Kuala Kubu Baharu Hospital compared to during the pandemic.
"This shows a desire and confidence among the residents here to seek treatment at this hospital.
"Usually, if a hospital lacks specialists, the perception is that people don't want to go to that hospital.
"It's a positive sign because (now) they would not need to go to Selayang Hospital," he said.
Meanwhile, Dzulkefly said he had no qualms in admitting that the country would continue to face a lack of facilities in the healthcare department.
However, it is a challenge that he was ready to face when
taking on the role of health minister.
He said merely adding new hospitals will not resolve the worsening issues faced by medical practitioners and patients.
"Healthcare is beyond buildings and facilities. It is about getting the correct concept of prevention, promotion, (and) keeping wellness.
"We can have many hospitals, but if the human resource capacity is only at 50 per cent, it's useless, and this is my challenge," he said.