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Development plans to ease long-standing parking crisis at QEH
Chan (second from left), Phoong and Sabin putting up a war on sugar awareness poster at a kopitiam in Foh Sang.
KOTA KINABALU (June 28): Kota Kinabalu member of parliament Datuk Chan Foong Hin has called on the Federal Government and the Ministry of Health to address the persistent shortage of parking at Queen Elizabeth Hospital I (QEH I), a long-standing issue that continues to affect residents in Kota Kinabalu.
He said the matter has finally gained serious attention at the federal level, with preliminary plans for QEH I now underway following a meeting earlier this year between Sabah's Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship cum Luyang assemblyman Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, and Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
'Phoong met with the Federal Health Minister on behalf of the state government to raise this issue, and the response has been positive and encouraging.
'We will continue to push for practical solutions to ensure better access to essential healthcare facilities for the public,' he said.
Speaking at the 'Program War on Sugar Kota Kinabalu' community health programme held at the Foh Sang multi-storey car park in Luyang on Saturday, Chan noted that the opening of the new parking facility has already helped ease traffic congestion and parking difficulties in the surrounding neighbourhood.
'We are fully aware that the people of Kota Kinabalu have long hoped for improved parking facilities, especially at the city's two main hospitals – Queen Elizabeth Hospital I (QEH I) and Queen Elizabeth Hospital II (QEH II),' he added.
Chan, who also serves as Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities, further revealed that a mixed-use development project is in the pipeline near QEH II. The upcoming development, which will integrate medical and commercial components, is expected to provide approximately 1,500 parking bays – helping to further alleviate parking and traffic concerns in the area.
Separately, Chan highlighted the findings of the 2024 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS), which reported that 63% of Malaysian adolescents and 43% of adults consume excessive amounts of free sugar daily – exceeding the World Health Organization's recommendation of no more than 7.5 teaspoons per day.
'This is a worrying trend. Excessive sugar intake is linked to a host of non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease – all of which place a heavy burden on the country's healthcare system,' he warned.
In response, his parliamentary office partnered with the Sabah State Health Department to organise Saturday's health outreach event, combining a health exhibition, free screenings, sugar reduction awareness, and various community service booths to promote healthier lifestyle habits.
He noted that the War on Sugar campaign is part of a nationwide initiative by the Ministry of Health to promote healthy eating, raise awareness about the dangers of excessive sugar consumption, and provide essential health services such as screenings and vaccinations.
On a lighter note, Chan shared that he, too, has adopted a healthier diet by switching to sugar-free beverages, opting for 'kopi-o kosong' or Americano.
The event was also attended by Phoong, Kota Kinabalu Mayor Datuk Seri Sabin Samitah, as well as representatives from the Kota Kinabalu City Hall, Royal Malaysia Police and the Sabah State Health Department.
