
RM1.05 mil approved for Sandakan Hospital upgrades
Published on: Tue, Aug 12, 2025
By: Mardinah Jikur Text Size: Dzulkefly (fourth right) with Sandakan MP Vivian Wong (fourth left) and HDOK staffers pose for a group photo. - Mardinah Jikur/Daily Express Malaysia SANDAKAN: The Health Ministry has approved RM1.055 million for minor works and upgrades at the Duchess of Kent Hospital (HDOK), here, covering needs for its operating theatre, as well as medical and non-medical assets. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad said the urgent allocation includes adding chairs in waiting areas, replacing mattresses and pillows, and upgrading the operating theatre.
Advertisement He also announced plans to build a new block with 594 beds, and to upgrade local health clinics to help ease congestion at HDOK. During his working visit, Dzulkefly inspected wards in the hospital's old building, which dates back to 1952, and visited the Karamunting Rural Clinic and Kinabatangan Hospital.
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The Star
12 minutes ago
- The Star
Existing hospital enough for Sandakan, says Health Minister
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Daily Express
an hour ago
- Daily Express
6,144 teen pregnancies recorded in over 2 years, Dewan hears
Published on: Wednesday, August 13, 2025 Published on: Wed, Aug 13, 2025 By: FMT Reporters Text Size: 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. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia


New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Over 6,000 teenage pregnancies reported since 2023, says minister
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