Materia Medica Malaysiana

Two more haemodialysis machines for S'kan hospital: Chua
Sandakan: The Health Ministry is committed to providing various types of healthcare facilities as among the Government's efforts to improve service quality, apart from upgrading hospitals in the country including Sabah.

Its Minister, Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek, said provision of systematic and sophisticated medical facilities would continue to cater for the needs of patients.

He said this after visiting the Duchess of Kent Hospital here Saturday, accompanied by Infrastructure Minister DatuK Raymond Tan Shu Kiah, Batu Sapi MP Edmund Chung, Beluran MP Datuk Ronald Kiandee, Elopura Assemblyman Au Kam Wah and State Health Director Dr Zainol Hamzah.

Under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP), Chua said the Ministry would provide two more haemodialysis machines, apart from installing a CT Scan worth RM2.4 million at the hospital here.

He said construction of 48 units of quarters for the hospital's personnel was expected to commence next year.

According to him, he was making visits to hospitals in the country to gain first-hand knowledge on the development, equipment as well as services provided by his Ministry.

"At the same time, the visits will enable us to identify and resolve problems as well as gather feedback for the 9MP," he said.

Chua, who was given a briefing by the hospital Director, Dr Zorina Khalid, assured that he would look into the proposals by the director.

Among the proposals approved by Chua were construction of a staircase to connect the parking area at the specialist clinic to the ward building, creating an ENT and ophthalmology ward, a roofed walkway from the gate to the car park at the specialist clinic and a radiology specialist room. ' In a related development, Chua urged all hospitals to provide people-friendly and efficient services, in line with the call by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

"We hope all hospitals in the country, including those in Sabah, will interact with the international bodies to enhance knowledge in medical technology.

"This has been done by the hospitals in Kota Baru, which have been interacting with those in Britain and France. It is a success that directly fulfils the aspirations of the people," he said.