RM42m boost for hospital

Star: KUALA PILAH: The hospital here, which was renamed the Tuanku Ampuan Najihah Hospital yesterday, will be upgraded under the 9th Malaysia Plan (9MP).
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said in view of the rapid development and the increase in population in Negri Sembilan, RM42.3mil had been set aside under the 9MP to improve the hospital's infrastructure, equipment and facilities.
“Among the plans are the construction of a haemodialysis unit, staff quarters, hostel for medical officers and a four-storey ward building that includes psychiatric and orthopaedic wards,” he said during the renaming ceremony of the hospital.
The hospital, which was built in 1990 at a cost of RM97.5mil, has been renamed after the Tuanku Ampuan Negri Sembilan Tuanku Najihah.
Dr Chua added that apart from facilities and equipment, hospital staff are an important element in providing excellent healthcare and medical services to the people.
He said hospitals should provide friendly, comprehensive and good services to the people.
“This is in line with the ministry’s objective to give high quality health services that meet the needs and expectations of the people,” he said.
Currently, the hospital has 83 doctors, including eight specialists, and 687 support staff and serves about 250,000 people in Tampin, Jelebu, Bahau, Jempol and Seremban.
Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the hospital also serves as a training centre for doctors and paramedics.
He said private higher learning institutes and nursing colleges have also sent their students to the hospital for practical training recently.
Mohamad said the people should start practising a healthy lifestyle.