
Facing backlash, Putrajaya says Usim teaching hospital moved to Kota Tinggi from Nilai to serve southern zone
He said the distribution of teaching hospitals in the peninsula is currently concentrated in the Klang Valley and East Coast areas, in addition to Sabah and Sarawak.
'In addition, there is a need for additional specialist treatment facilities in Kota Tinggi due to the fact that it is a strategic location close to one of the world's best tourist destinations, namely Desaru, in addition to neighbouring countries Singapore and Indonesia,' he said in reply to Muhammad Islahuddin Abas (PN-Mersing) at Dewan Rakyat today.
Muhammad Islahuddin had wanted to know the rationale behind the relocation of USIM's teaching hospital from Nilai to Kota Tinggi, as well as the academic needs, logistics, student and lecturer welfare and the effectiveness of clinical training that had been taken into account.
Mustapha said the teaching hospital would focus on research, training medical students, rural treatment and mobile specialist clinics, in addition to providing a burn ward for industrial accidents in Pengerang. — Bernama
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
6,144 teen pregnancies recorded in over 2 years, Dewan hears
Deputy women, family and community development minister Noraini Ahmad said a 2020 study cited contributing factors to teenage pregnancies such as peer pressure and media influence, particularly exposure to sexually explicit content. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : A total of 6,144 teenage pregnancies were recorded between 2023 and March this year, says deputy women, family and community development minister Noraini Ahmad. Citing health ministry statistics on cases registered at government health facilities, she said 2,737 cases were reported in 2023, 2,752 in 2024, and 655 in the first quarter of 2025. Noraini said that a 2015 study published in the Medical Journal of Malaysia identified limited access to comprehensive reproductive health education as a major factor, which left many teenagers unaware of how to protect themselves from unplanned pregnancies. 'This finding is also supported by the 2019 Study on Adolescent Risk and Protective Factors for Reproductive and Social Health by the National Population and Family Development Board,' Bernama reported her as saying in the Dewan Rakyat during question time today. She was responding to Doris Sophia Brodi (GPS-Sri Aman), who had asked about the number of cases, growth rates and main causes of teenage pregnancies in each state from 2023 to the first quarter of 2025. Noraini said a 2020 study published in the Malaysian Journal of Psychology also cited other contributing factors such as peer pressure and media influence, particularly exposure to sexually explicit content. 'From a socioeconomic perspective, poverty, school dropouts and the lack of job opportunities have also been identified as factors that heighten teenagers' vulnerability to this risk,' she said. Responding to a supplementary question from Doris on a national action plan to address the issue, Noraini said the ministry's initiatives include developing the Reproductive and Social Health Education module and an action plan to tackle underage marriages. 'This module covers reproductive health knowledge, decision-making skills, character development and personal safety from sexual harassment and abuse,' she said.


Malay Mail
7 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Malaysia's US$250,000-plus club to double in size over next decade, says HSBC
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 — HSBC Bank expects the number of Malaysians with at least US$250,000 (RM1.18 million) in financial assets to double in the next 10 years, underpinned by sustained economic growth and rising affluence, business publication The Edge reported today. Kai Zhang, HSBC's head of international wealth and premier banking Asia, said Malaysia's expanding economy was creating significant opportunities for wealth accumulation. 'As the Malaysian economy grows, so does the opportunity to build and sustain wealth. We estimate that the percentage of adults in Malaysia with at least US$250,000 in financial wealth will double over the next decade,' he said at the launch of HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd's upgraded HSBC Premier service. The refreshed HSBC Premier package, first introduced in Malaysia 25 years ago, now focuses on four pillars — wealth, health, travel, and international banking — aimed at high-net-worth and affluent customers. HSBC Malaysia's country head of international wealth and premier banking, Linda Yip, noted that wealthy Malaysians were seeking 'holistic solutions' that balance wealth growth with lifestyle and health needs. She cited HSBC's 2023 Quality of Life report, which found affluent Malaysians placed 78 per cent of their portfolios in investments such as bonds and equities, with 22 per cent in cash. Over half (51 per cent) prioritised saving for leisure or vacations, while 48 per cent viewed physical and mental health as central to quality of life, she added. The bank's wealth services now offer access to more than 350 investment products across unit trusts, bonds, and protection plans, supported by digital tools for account opening, investment tracking, and insurance analysis. Health benefits include up to 30% discounts on screenings via Sunway Healthcare, and complimentary screenings for Premier Elite clients. Travel perks range from enhanced credit card rewards and up to 12 free airport lounge visits, to travel insurance worth US$500,000 and roaming in over 120 countries. International banking privileges feature zero-fee global transfers to more than 50 countries, preferential forex rates, and access to 111 currencies. HSBC, named Malaysia's Best International Bank by Euromoney, is also offering promotional deposit rates of up to 10.88 per cent per annum for clients who invest or insure, and time deposit rates of 4.28 per cent per annum for fresh funds, The Edge said.


Free Malaysia Today
7 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
307 medical officers to be stationed in Sabah
Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad meeting patients during his visit to Klinik Desa Karamunting in Sabah today. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : A total of 307 permanent medical officers will be stationed at healthcare facilities throughout Sabah under the first phase of the e-Placement initiative to strengthen services and reduce the existing workload. Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said 10 of these officers will serve at the Duchess of Kent Hospital in Sandakan, which is the main referral hospital for the east coast of Sabah, covering not just Sandakan but also Kinabatangan, Beluran, Telupid and Tongod, Bernama reported. 'This hospital offers 19 in-house specialties and is the heart of health services in these five districts. With 414 beds, it faces a high workload covering outpatient treatment, surgery, emergency cases and maternity services. 'The arrival of the new staff will help improve the quality of service for the public,' he said in a Facebook post about his three-day working visit to Sabah today. He said the ministry had approved an allocation of RM1.05 million to carry out minor works and improvements at the hospital. The funds will meet the needs of the surgical ward and help in the purchase of more chairs for patients in waiting areas, mattresses and pillows. He took note of the need for further facility upgrades, such as the construction of a new block, the temporary relocation of old, at-risk wards, and the addition of a large-capacity water tank. The minister later reviewed the operations at Kinabatangan Hospital, including the maternal and child health clinic as well as the dental clinic. He inaugurated the new building of the Ulu Dusun health clinic (KK) in Sandakan and reviewed the progress of the reconstruction of KK Bukit Garam in Kinabatangan under the 12th Malaysia Plan's dilapidated clinic project. The upgrading work for KK Ulu Dusun, valued at RM600,000, has been completed and the clinic is operational while reconstruction of KK Bukit Garam, valued at RM1 million, is ongoing and includes the construction of a new building, complete with basic and support facilities. Dzulkefly is expected to visit 22 health facilities across six districts in Sabah. He wants the services at health clinics to be strengthened to reduce overcrowding at major hospitals. This will be done by moving minor surgeries to health clinics with the involvement of specialists.