Health Ministry getting 66 new construction projects worth RM2.4b, says Works Minister
BUTTERWORTH, May 2 — The Public Works Department (JKR) is implementing 66 new construction projects for the Ministry of Health (MOH) under the Fifth Rolling Plan (RP5) of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), with a total cost of RM2.4 billion.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said JKR, through its Health Works Branch, has also been entrusted with 170 healthcare facility projects nationwide, valued at RM16.47 billion.
'These include 62 projects in the pre-construction (planning) phase estimated at RM4.05 billion, 64 projects in the construction phase worth RM7.88 billion, and 44 completed projects in the post-construction phase involving RM4.54 billion,' he said.
He was speaking at the handover ceremony of the Multi-Storey Block Construction Project at Seberang Jaya Hospital here today.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad was also present.
Nanta added that from 9MP to 12MP, 12 projects worth RM1.31 billion have been implemented in Penang under the Works Ministry.
He said for the Penang projects, the pre-construction phase involves five projects estimated at RM139 million, the construction phase includes five projects worth RM781 million, and the post-construction phase covers two projects costing RM396 million.
On the Seberang Jaya Hospital project, he said JKR was tasked with it in 2016 under a RM371 million design-and-build contract.
The nine-storey block includes a 77 per cent increase in bed capacity — from 413 to 729 — as well as new roads and parking facilities built on the hospital's existing field, measuring 1.32 hectares.
He said the project faced delays due to challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
'The construction adheres to Treasury Circular guidelines and uses the Industrialised Building System (IBS), achieving an IBS score of over 70 per cent,' he added. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sinar Daily
2 days ago
- Sinar Daily
IJN becomes first in Southeast Asia to implant dual-chamber leadless pacemaker
The achievement reflects IJN's commitment to setting new standards in cardiac care both in Malaysia and the region. 05 Jun 2025 02:20pm To date, 18 patients have received the new device, with the first implantation conducted on May 27. - Bernama photo KUALA LUMPUR - The National Heart Institute (IJN) has made medical history by becoming the first centre in Southeast Asia to successfully implant the world's first dual-chamber leadless pacemaker system, the Abbott AVEIR™ DR. Senior consultant cardiologist and Interventional Electrophysiology & Implantable Devices clinical director Datuk Dr Azlan Hussin, said the achievement reflects IJN's commitment to setting new standards in cardiac care both in Malaysia and the region. Senior consultant cardiologist and Interventional Electrophysiology & Implantable Devices clinical director Datuk Dr Azlan Hussin, said the achievement reflects IJN's commitment to setting new standards in cardiac care both in Malaysia and the region. - Bernama photo "This groundbreaking dual-chamber leadless pacemaker will revolutionise care for our current patients and create a significant opportunity to expand the number of people we can serve, including children. "By eliminating traditional wires (leads) and surgical pockets, this leadless system significantly reduces the risk of complications such as infections, lead dislodgement, or vessel occlusion,' he said at a press conference at IJN today. He noted that the long-term complication rate is typically between one and two per cent, comparable to, and in some cases lower than, that of conventional pacemakers. To date, 18 patients have received the new device, with the first implantation conducted on May 27. This milestone builds on IJN's decade-long experience with leadless pacemaker technology, during which nearly 900 patients have undergone procedures involving wireless pacemakers. Dr Azlan said the AVEIR™ DR system offers a range of potential benefits, including a shorter procedure time typically between 20 minutes to one hour, depending on the patient's heart condition. "The system also provides real-time pacing analysis, enabling physicians to confirm accurate device placement during the procedure before the final implantation into the heart chamber,' he said. IJN chief executive officer Prof Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Ezani Md Taib said the initial cost of the procedure is slightly higher due to the new technology. "As with any new technology, the initial cost is slightly higher. However, in general, IJN's charges are significantly lower than those at most private hospitals,' he said. On whether other hospitals in Malaysia could adopt the procedure, Dr Mohamed Ezani said it's not just about offering a service, it's about having the right expertise and infrastructure. "People need to understand that this is not just about business. It's about having the clinical expertise, advanced technology, and the right facilities, something IJN is proud to offer.' "At IJN, innovation isn't just about introducing new technology, it's about creating real, meaningful impact. The AVEIR™ DR implantation marks a leap forward in cardiac care and reinforces our role as a regional leader,' he said. He also emphasised the importance of awareness and early intervention in addressing cardiovascular disease, which remains a significant health challenge in Malaysia. The AVEIR™ DR system, designed for patients with slow or irregular heart rhythms, marks a major breakthrough in cardiac pacing. Unlike traditional pacemakers, it consists of two miniaturised devices, each one-tenth the size of conventional models, implanted directly into the heart's right atrium and ventricle. As the world's first dual-chamber leadless pacemaker, it provides synchronised, beat-to-beat pacing without the risks associated with leads. The system features a minimally invasive design, long-term retrievability, and future-ready adaptability. In 2018, IJN made history as the first hospital outside the United States to implant the world's smallest pacemaker, the Micra AV. - BERNAMA
The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
Health Ministry urges sugary drink tax as consumption soars in Vietnam
HANOI: The Ministry of Health (MoH) has raised concerns over the sharp rise in sugary drink consumption in Vietnam, warning that failure to impose a special consumption tax could come at the cost of public health. In 2023, the average Vietnamese consumed around 66 litres of sugary beverages, equivalent to 18g of sugar per day, or 36 per cent of the World Health Organization (WHO)'s maximum recommended intake for adults. Between 2009 and 2023, sugary drink consumption quadrupled, nearly doubling in the past decade alone. Per capita consumption surged by 350 per cent, from 18.5 to 66.5 litres per year. A 2019 national survey found that nearly 34 per cent of students aged 13–17 drank carbonated beverages at least once a day. The WHO estimates that without stronger controls, sugary drink consumption in Việt Nam could rise by an average of 6.4 per cent annually through 2028, fuelling higher rates of obesity, diabetes and heart disease. The MoH says that taxing sugary beverages is one of the most effective and low-cost interventions to reduce sugar consumption and prevent non-communicable diseases. The WHO recommends a tax that raises retail prices by at least 20 per cent. According to research by the Hanoi University of Public Health, such a tax in Việt Nam could reduce rates of people who are overweight or obese by 2.1 per cent and 1.5 per cent respectively, prevent 80,000 diabetes cases and save nearly VNĐ800 billion (US$30.77 million) in healthcare costs. At a National Assembly session debating amendments to the Law on Special Consumption Tax, Finance Minister Nguyen Van Thang said WHO data showed Vietnam was among the countries with the fastest-growing sugary drink consumption. 'Most of the sugar we consume comes from these beverages, driving obesity. WHO recommends a minimum 20 per cent tax. Frankly, we should have acted sooner,' he said. Delegate Le Hoang Anh from Gia Lai Province rejected the proposed 8–10 per cent tax from 2027 as too slow and too weak, arguing it fails to align with the national priority of putting health first. He pointed to countries like Thailand, which introduced a sugary drink tax in 2017, and the Philippines and Malaysia, which now collect billions of dollars annually from similar levies. 'If we don't act today, we will pay tomorrow, in lives lost, higher medical costs and reduced productivity,' he warned. Anh recommended adopting a 10 per cent tax starting in 2026, rising to 20 per cent by 2030, along with an absolute tax based on sugar content, like Thailand's. At least 108 countries have already imposed a special consumption tax on sugary drinks, including six in South-East Asia: Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei, Cambodia and Laos. The MoH says this demonstrates that such a tax is feasible and necessary for developing countries like Vietnam. Since 2017, Thailand has imposed a tiered excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages based on their sugar content, rather than a flat percentage. The higher the sugar content, the higher the tax, reaching up to 5 baht ($0.15) per litre for drinks with more than 14 grammes of sugar per 100ml. On top of this, a 14 per cent value-added tax is also applied to the ex-factory price. The tax increases retail prices by approximately 11 to 20 per cent, encouraging manufacturers to reduce sugar content and helping curb sugar-related health risks. In the Philippines, the excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages has been in effect since 2018. It imposes a specific excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, charging 6 pesos ($0.10) per litre for drinks sweetened with sugar or non-caloric sweeteners and 12 pesos per litre for those containing high-fructose corn syrup. This tax has effectively raised retail prices by about 16 to 20 per cent, aiming to curb consumption and tackle health issues like obesity and diabetes. — Vietnam News/ANN
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
Perkeso saves RM49 million from fraud investigations since 2020
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of nearly RM49 million in social security funds has been successfully saved since 2020 as a result of investigations by the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) into fraud cases. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong said that from that period until April this year, 679 cases involving elements of fraud were actively investigated, including the Temporary Disablement Benefit Scheme (FHUS), Permanent Disablement Benefit Scheme (FHUK), the Invalidity Scheme and Health Screening Programme (HSP). "This success was achieved as a result of investigations leading to the suspension of 383 cases or 56.5 per cent of the total investigated, reflecting that strict governance and management can have a significant impact on system efficiency," he said. He said this while delivering the keynote address at the opening of the Seminar on Fraud, Evasion and Error in Social Security and Insurance Claims, organised by Perkeso in collaboration with the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners (ABIME), here today. Also present were Perkeso chairman Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal and group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed, as well as ABIME president and founder Prof Dr Mohammed Ranavaya. Commenting further, Sim said that benefit fraud, however, remains a challenge as losses amounting to RM2.1 million were recorded throughout 2024 due to unauthorised claims. "In the ongoing effort to curb fund leakage, Perkeso is also reviewing the Constant Attendance Allowance (ELS) to ensure the eligibility of recipients is continuously verified. "Throughout the period from 2020 to April this year, a total of 509 ELS cases were reviewed, with 117 cases or 22.9 per cent recommended for suspension, resulting in the long-term saving of social security funds amounting to over RM12.2 million," he said. According to him, the challenge of fraud, which is now global and driven by labour mobility and cross-border services, requires Malaysia to adopt a comprehensive prevention framework that includes legal reforms, strict enforcement, digital innovation and transparent communication. Meanwhile, Sim also announced Dr. Mohammed Azman as the recipient of The Lifetime Fellowship of the American College of Independent Medical Examiners (FACIME) and Master Certified Independent Medical Examiner to recognise his contributions in the field of disability medicine and occupational health. "This award is not only an honour to Datuk Sri Dr Mohammed Azman and Perkeso but also a recognition for the Human Resources Ministry and Malaysia, showing that local professionals are capable of achieving the highest recognition at the international level," he also said. FACIME is the highest qualification in the Field of Disability Medicine, awarded only to those who have reached the highest level of knowledge, skills, and abilities as a quality Independent Medical Examiner.
