Upgrades to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) will be done in stages to prevent disruption of services, said Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad.
Dzulkefly said the upgrades are to elevate HKL’s role as the country’s main public referral hospital and to ensure it could continue to meet the healthcare needs of Malaysians.
“This plan is divided into two components, namely the planning of the construction of new blocks and the upgrading of the main block.
“This plan focuses on HKL’s development efforts in an inclusive and comprehensive manner to continue to elevate HKL’s role as the nation’s main public referral hospital, in addition to ensuring that HKL remains sustainable in providing quality and effective medical services in meeting the health needs of Madani citizens,” he said.
Phase one consists of the redevelopment of the HKL Pediatric Institute (IPHKL), or Tuanku Azizah Hospital Two (HTA2), while phase two will focus on the construction of a surgical block.
Phase three covers the upgrading of the existing maternity ward, Dzulkefly said.
“For now, the proposed HTA2 project (redevelopment of IPHKL) has been approved in the Fourth Rolling Plan 2024 for preliminary work on the preparation of project scope and development cost estimates,” Dzulkefly said.
10-15-year plan
Upgrading the main block requires comprehensive infrastructural upgrades to meet needs such as medical gas, sewerage, telecommunications, water piping systems, and lifts, he explained.
Dzulkefly added that the upgrading work involves 12 wards and part of the clinical support department in the main building.
“The Health Ministry intends to install air-conditioning systems in existing wards.
“Accordingly, the installation will be preceded by mechanical and electrical work in order to accommodate the installation of air-conditioning.
“At the same time, the installation of fans and more window openings will be done to ensure more efficient ventilation in the wards for the comfort of patients and health workers,” he said.
The health minister said the 10-15-year plan also accounted for aspects of infectious disease treatment and equipping wards, including third-class wards, with air-conditioning systems.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government will look into expediting upgrades to the HKL’s third-class ward.
“We have seen for ourselves how the third-class ward is a bit hot and crowded, and the minister (Dzulkefly) will bring it to the cabinet’s attention so we can expedite what is necessary.
“Of course, the minister and the (HKL) director will also listen to the other urgent problems that the ministry and the government focus on to ensure that the infrastructure facilities are good,” he said.
To that end, Dzulkefly said improvements and maintenance work for the third-class ward would be sped up to improve patient comfort.
The addition of new blocks will also increase the number of beds available and contribute to the hospital infrastructure for the benefit of patients and healthcare workers, he added. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.