Sandakan, Beaufort hospital upgrades delayed for over a decade

 Issues with the appointed contractors led to contracts being cancelled in 2022 and 2024, and the projects have yet to be completed.

The Duchess of Kent Hospital in Sandakan was supposed to have its old ward block and pharmacy department upgraded under the 11th Malaysia Plan’s first rolling plan (2016–2017). (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Upgrades for the Duchess of Kent Hospital in Sandakan and Beaufort Hospital have been delayed for more than a decade due to issues with the appointed contractors.

Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said a project to upgrade the Duchess of Kent Hospital’s old ward block and pharmacy department had been approved under the 11th Malaysia Plan’s first rolling plan (2016–2017).

The project was supposed to involve upgrading the old ward block and maternity ward, including electrical and piping works, as well as the construction of a new pharmacy building.

“However, the contractor appointed in 2021 had its contract terminated in 2022 for failing to enter the site and commence work,” he said in a written parliamentary reply to Suhaimi Nasir (BN-Libaran).

Dzulkefly said the ministry had since requested information on a separate upgrade project approved in 2023 under the fourth rolling plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan, which was to be carried out by the public works department’s (JKR) health works branch.

Currently, the preliminary estimated cost and medical brief of requirements were being prepared, he added.

“Once the scope and estimated costs are finalised, the ministry expects to submit the project application under the third rolling plan of the 13th Malaysia Plan, for implementation in 2028.”

In a separate reply to Siti Aminah Aching (BN-Beaufort), Dzulkefly said a project to upgrade Beaufort Hospital had been approved under the 10th Malaysia Plan’s fourth rolling plan (2014-2015).

The project was supposed to involve upgrading its old block of wards for a new operating theatre, coronary care unit, maternity ward, laboratories, pharmacy, outpatient department and specialist clinics.

Sabah JKR was the appointed implementing agency, he added.

“However, the contractor had only entered the site to commence work in 2020 and its performance in carrying out the project was unsatisfactory.

“The health ministry and Sabah JKR then implemented several remedial measures, including giving time extensions, issuing warning letters, imposing liquidated and ascertained damages, and terminating the contractor’s appointment on March 7, 2024.”

The minister said the economy ministry then decided to conduct a structural integrity test on the old block, as the building was over 40 years old and its foundation was built on sand.

“The structural integrity test is nearing completion. A report will be submitted to the economy ministry in the third quarter of the year to determine the project’s direction, particularly whether to upgrade the block or demolish it and build a new one,” said Dzulkefly. - FMT