170 new health facilities to transform Malaysia's medical landscape
BUTTERWORTH: The Public Works Department (PWD) is set to deliver 170 new health facility projects across the country, with a total budget of RM16.47 billion.
The initiative, part of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), is expected to be completed by 2025, aiming to enhance healthcare infrastructure nationwide.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said they are currently carrying out 66 new construction projects for the Health Ministry, with a total project cost of RM2.4 billion.
"We have been entrusted by the Health Ministry as the lead agency to oversee the implementation of 170 health facility projects nationwide, with a total investment of RM16.47 billion," he said during the official handover of the new multi-storey block of Seberang Jaya Hospital from his ministry to the Health Ministry today.
Present at the event was Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad.
Alexander said that under the 9th Malaysia Plan (9MP) to the 12MP, for the state of Penang, 12 projects with a total cost of RM1.317 billion were being implemented by the ministry.
He said this included five projects with an estimated cost of RM139.1 million under the pre-construction phase, five projects with a cost of RM781.38 million under the construction phase, and two projects with a cost of RM396.53 million under the post-construction phase.
On the new multi-storey block of Seberang Jaya Hospital, Alexander said it involved the construction of a 10-storey block, which would serve as an additional block to the existing hospital.
This expansion is expected to increase the capacity and capability of medical services, providing a more comprehensive service to accommodate the growing number of patients.
Malaysia's public hospitals are under growing pressure as patient numbers surge, medical costs rise, and a shortage of specialists strains the healthcare system.
In response, the government is moving quickly to address the crisis, focusing on expanding hospital capacity, increasing funding, and fast-tracking the recruitment of medical professionals to improve services and reduce waiting times.
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