Latest news with #DuchessOfKentHospital


Free Malaysia Today
6 days ago
- Health
- 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.


Malay Mail
7 days ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
Health Ministry allocates RM1.05m for urgent upgrades at Sandakan's Duchess of Kent Hospital
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 — The Ministry of Health has approved an allocation of RM1.05 million to carry out minor works and improvements at the Duchess of Kent Hospital in Sandakan. Its Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, said the allocation would cover the additional needs for the surgical ward, as well as for medical and non-medical assets required by the hospital. 'This allocation is for urgent applications needed by the hospital and its patients here,' he told reporters after a visit to the Duchess of Kent Hospital yesterday adding that improvements from this allocation also include adding more chairs for patient waiting areas, as well as replacing mattresses and pillows. Meanwhile, Dzulkefly said he is on an intensive three-day visit, starting yesterday, to 22 health facilities across six districts in Sabah. 'Earlier, we went to the Karamunting Health Clinic and now we are at the Duchess of Kent Hospital. I just listened to an excellent presentation from the hospital's director, Dr Mohd Fahmie Othman. I have learned about the needs and facility constraints at this hospital, and I am committed to providing 'adequacy',' he said. In addition, he wants the services at health clinics to be strengthened to reduce overcrowding at major hospitals like the Duchess of Kent Hospital. This includes moving minor surgeries to health clinics with the involvement of specialists. — Bernama


Malay Mail
12-08-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
Sabah gets 307 permanent medical officers, Sandakan's Duchess of Kent Hospital among beneficiaries, says Dzulkefly
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12 — A total of 307 permanent medical officers will be stationed at healthcare facilities throughout Sabah under Phase One of the e-Placement initiative to strengthen services and reduce the existing workload. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad said that of this number, 10 officers will serve at the Duchess of Kent Hospital (HDOK), which is the main referral hospital for the east coast of Sabah, covering the districts of Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Beluran, Telupid, and Tongod. 'HDOK offers 19 in-house specialties and is the heart of health services in these five districts. With 414 beds, HDOK faces a high workload covering outpatient treatment, surgery, emergency cases, and maternity services. 'The arrival of this new staff will help improve the quality of service for the public,' he said in a Facebook post about his working visit to Sabah today. He added that his visit to HDOK also focused on development issues and the need for 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 to ensure the hospital's operations run smoothly, even during water supply disruptions. In a separate post, Dzulkefly also reviewed the implementation of the Measles-Rubella (MR) Immunisation Program at Karamunting Rural Clinic (KD) alongside Sandakan Member of Parliament Vivian Wong Shir Yee. This effort aims to increase immunisation coverage to over 95 per cent to achieve herd immunity and break the chain of infection. 'Rural clinics like KD Karamunting play a crucial role as the frontline of rural health services, not only providing basic treatment but also serving as a key centre for immunization, maternal and childcare, and community health education,' he said. The health minister later reviewed the operations of Kinabatangan Hospital, which is the hub for health services in its area, including the maternal and child health clinic and the dental clinic. Challenges identified during the visit included the lack of a negative-pressure isolation room, limited space for the pharmacy and rehabilitation, and the need for critical equipment like ventilators and baby warmers. In addition, he also inaugurated the new building of the Ulu Dusun Health Clinic in Sandakan and reviewed the progress of the reconstruction of the Bukit Garam Health Clinic (KK) in Kinabatangan under the 12th Malaysia Plan's dilapidated clinic project. 'These new facilities not only provide a more comfortable space for patients but also increase service capacity, including for outpatient treatment, maternal and child care, immunisation, and health promotion,' he said. The upgrade work for KK Ulu Dusun, valued at RM600,000, is complete and operational for the local community, while the 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. — Bernama