KOTA KINABALU: Sabah may set up a dedicated centre for the treatment of heart-related illnesses.
State Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib said the state government was looking for a suitable site for this purpose.
"However, having a new building and equipment would be meaningless without the necessary expertise in heart-related conditions," he said at his ministry's Raya celebration at Wisma Tun Fuad Stephens here.
James, who also serves as the State Health Exco, said the recent announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to rebrand HQE2 as a designated heart centre, along with the allocation of RM80 million for additional heart specialists and equipment upgrades would enhance healthcare services in the state capital.
The state capital boasts three public hospitals: HQE2, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and Sabah Women's and Children's Hospital.
The Sugud assemblyman said that the improvements could potentially reduce the number of patients requiring services in Kuala Lumpur.
James also said that the state government would propose the privatisation of the construction of the Sabah Blood Bank Centre and its future services, which was announced during the 12th Malaysia Plan with an estimated cost of RM86 million.
However, he noted that there had been limited progress on the project.