Government Considers Multi-storey Health Clinics In Towns

PUCHONG, July 31 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry is considering the possibility of building multi-storey health clinics especially in the urban areas to overcome the problem of obtaining suitable sites.
Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said besides the high cost of land, there was a shortage of suitable sites for the clinics.
"It's difficult to find suitable land now. Even if there is any it is too far (from the towns) and without a reliable transportation system," he told reporters after visiting the Puchong Health Clinic here Tuesday.
He said the emergency unit, and maternity and children wards would be placed on the ground floor of the multi-storey clinics while others would be located on the upper level.
"However, we are still discussing the matter at the ministerial level on how the concept can be implemented," he said.
Chua said mobile health clinics would also be set up at congested town centres which would provide basic checks such as blood and diabetic tests.
In another development, he said the ministry would allocate RM400 million to upgrade health and rural clinics nationwide and the projects were expected to be completed in one year.
Chua said the government would also build 500 health clinics especially in the rural areas at the cost of RM1.2 million in three years.