KUCHING: The Ministry of Health (MOH) has approved a funding of RM1.096 million to tackle overcrowding issues in the Emergency & Trauma Department of the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH).
This includes converting the hospital’s Convention Hall into Medical Ward 5 to accommodate 24 beds and provision of equipment.
Minister of Local Government and Housing, Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian revealed this in his winding up speech during the State Legislative Assembly sitting here yesterday.
“In addition to that, the State Health Department has also submitted a proposal to MOH for the upgrading of the female ward in Serian Hospital.
“If approved, it will increase the number of beds and reduce the number of patients to be referred to SGH for admission.
“The MOH will also look at other alternatives including negotiating with private hospitals in Kuching in terms of leasing of ward spaces and other facilities,” he said.
On the subject of overcrowding in Serian Hospital, Sim said that it only occurred on visiting specialist clinic days.
“On other days, the crowd is manageable with an average daily attendance of 240 patients; Serian Hospital is a 84-bed hospital with a low bed occupancy rate of 45 percent.
“Besides, the type 3 Serian Health Clinic approved under RMK-10 RP4 is expected to cater 300 to 500 patients per day and can thus divert the outpatient department patients of the hospital to the clinic once completed.
“Phase One of the project, which involves earthwork, was completed on July 20, 2017 and is still under Defects Liability Period (DLP).
“The Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak, as the implementing agency, is in the process of preparing the estimate for the building construction after which will be submitted to the MOH for approval,” he said.
