Sarawak to get clinics, hospital despite healthcare cuts, says minister

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam assured Sarawak that despite budget cuts for his ministry, the state would be given the healthcare facilities that were "already committed to" previously. The facilities include two new clinics and a hospital. Subramaniam, on a working visit to Sarawak, said the two clinics would be built in Tabuan Jaya in Kuching and in the sub-urban town of Siburan, about 28km from the city. He also said construction of the new hospital in Petra Jaya would continue while upgrades to the existing Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) costing RM43 million would be maintained. "We are trying to make sure it (budget cut) doesn't affect the facilities and services. We are going to cut in areas where we can cut to optimise services. "We might delay some development projects, where permitted," he told reporters after visiting a new laboratory at the SGH Heart Centre in Samarahan. Subramaniam said the projects would be completed as scheduled. He said his ministry was originally allocated RM27 billion for healthcare but the budget was slashed by RM300 million, a result of the country's shortfall in revenue due to plunging oil prices. Construction of the Tabuan Jaya clinic, at the cost of RM40 million, would start in "one to two years". The current clinic in Siburan which served 400 patients daily would start construction in " two to three years" at the cost of RM35 million. Subramaniam said the RM500 million Petra Jaya hospital, which would be the women and children's hospital, is expected to be completed and fully operational in a year-and-a-half's time. He said the current women's and children's facilities at SGH would move to the new hospital. The move would vacate 300 beds at the current location. – February 13, 2016.]]>