
RM1.05 million upgrades for Sandakan hospital
SANDAKAN (Aug 12): The Ministry of Health has approved RM1.05 million for minor works and upgrades at Duchess of Kent Hospital here, addressing urgent surgical and non-medical asset needs.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the allocation would enhance operating facilities, patient waiting areas, and replace aging mattresses and pillows.
'This immediate funding responds to the hospital's and patients' pressing requirements,' he told reporters during a visit to the hospital on Tuesday, part of his three-day tour of 22 Sabah health facilities across six districts.
At Duchess of Kent Hospital, Dzulkefly reviewed presentations by hospital director Dr Mohd Fahmie Othman on infrastructure gaps.
'I'm committed to ensuring adequate resources,' he affirmed, pledging to decentralize services by shifting minor surgeries to health clinics with specialist support to reduce main hospital congestion.

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

Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
Great Eastern Takaful i-Medi Evolusi Rider Offers Full-scale Health Protection
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 (Bernama) -- Great Eastern Takaful Berhad (GETB) has launched the i-Medi Evolusi Rider, its latest specially designed medical rider that provides coverage to support every stage of treatment, from the initial clinic visit to hospital admission and emergency care. GETB said that, under this rider, those requiring urgent treatment can receive fast consultations and treatment through initial assessments at all panel clinics under The Great Journey Clinic network. According to the company, 95 per cent of medical bills will be covered if the patient is diagnosed with any of the eight diseases covered, including Dengue Fever, Zika Virus, Chikungunya Fever, Influenza A & B, Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD), Bronchitis and Pneumonia. 'This outpatient benefit makes the plan unique, as such coverage is rarely offered in standard medical card plans, thus providing customers with peace of mind and additional support when they need it most,' it said in a statement. For hospital admissions, GETB said patients will be referred to medical facilities under The Great Journey Hospital network, with treatment costs covered according to the overall annual limit specified in the medical plan. 'The smooth process from outpatient treatment to hospital admission ensures customers receive healthcare and financial support throughout the treatment journey,' it said. In emergencies such as a heart attack, the company said customers will be taken directly to the hospital's emergency department, with all co-payment and deductible charges fully waived, allowing them to receive full coverage without any additional costs. Meanwhile, GETB chief executive officer Shahrul Azlan Shahriman said the company believed that a protection plan should be simple, transparent and empathetic, which was the primary goal of launching the i-Medi Evolusi Rider. 'We want customers to feel confident about seeking early treatment before a condition becomes more serious and requires hospitalisation,' he said.


Free Malaysia Today
3 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Kelantan has fewest organ donors nationwide, says state health dept
Kelantan health department director Dr Zaini Hussin said organ demand remained high, especially for kidneys and corneas, as well as hearts and livers. (Envato Elements pic) PETALING JAYA : Only 0.45% of Kelantan's population have pledged to become organ donors, the lowest rate among all states and federal territories in Malaysia, says state health department director Dr Zaini Hussin. He said the figure reflects persistently low awareness of organ donation in the state, particularly among rural communities and younger demographics. 'Since the organ donation pledge programme began in 1997, Kelantan has recorded only eight actual donors,' Bernama reported him as saying at the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital today. Zaini stressed the urgent need to improve both pledge registration and actual donation rates. 'Organ demand remains high, especially for kidneys and corneas, as well as hearts and livers. One donor can save up to four lives,' he said. Zaini said overcoming cultural and religious misconceptions required a coordinated effort involving medical professionals, authorities and religious scholars. 'Although many support the idea in principle, barriers such as limited understanding, myth, family hesitation and concerns over funeral delays or respecting the deceased remain widespread,' he said. According to the National Transplant Resource Centre, Kuala Lumpur currently has the highest pledge rate at 2.32%.


The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Kelantan records lowest organ donation rate nationwide
KOTA BARU: Only 0.45% of Kelantan's population have pledged to become organ donors, the lowest rate among all states and federal territories in Malaysia, according to the Kelantan Health Department. Its director Datuk Dr Zaini Hussin said the figure reflects persistently low awareness of organ donation in the state, particularly among rural communities and younger demographics. "Since the organ donation pledge programme began in 1997, Kelantan has recorded only eight actual donors," he said. Speaking to reporters after launching the state-level Organ Donation Awareness Week 2025 at Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II on Thursday (Aug 14), Dr Zaini stressed the urgent need to improve both pledge registration and actual donation rates. "Organ demand remains high, especially for kidneys and corneas, as well as hearts and livers. One donor can save up to four lives," he said. Dr Zaini added that overcoming cultural and religious misconceptions requires a coordinated effort involving medical professionals, authorities and religious scholars. "Although many support the idea in principle, barriers such as limited understanding, myth, family hesitation and concerns over funeral delays or respecting the deceased remain widespread," he said. He noted that some families may fear that organ retrieval could delay burial, a concern that continues to deter potential donors. According to the National Transplant Resource Centre, the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur currently has the highest pledge rate at 2.32%. - Bernama