Materia Medica Malaysiana

Chua: Illegals contributing to rise in TB and dengue cases

MALACCA: Illegal immigrants contributed to the 345 cases of tuberculosis reported at the Malacca Hospital last year, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said.

There were just 186 cases reported in 1993, he added.

Dr Chua said dengue cases were also on the increase, with 632 cases recorded last year, compared to only 104 cases in 2000.

Until August, 459 dengue cases had been reported, he said during a visit to Malacca Hospital yesterday.

He said the state's rapid development and the stagnant water at construction sites also contributed to the increase in dengue cases.

On his ministry's projects in the state, Dr Chua said 15 projects, including the construction of a new hospital in Jasin, had been completed while another 11 projects are in various stages of implementation.

“Another 16 projects are still in the planning stages and are expected to be carried out next year,” he added.

He said a RM5mil Magnetic Resonance Imaging unit would be installed at the Malacca Hospital before the year-end while the Alor Gajah district hospital and two rural clinics in Batu Berendam and Tengkera would be upgraded next year.

“We also have to look into requests for more wards for orthopaedic, paediatric and neurosurgery at the Malacca Hospital,” he said.