University hospital to reduce congestion by 20 per cent - Melaka CM

MELAKA,  Sept 20 (Bernama) -- The Melaka government plans to develop a university hospital that is expected to reduce patient congestion by 20 per cent in government hospitals in the state, said Chief Minister Adly Zahari.

He said the university hospital, which is expected to benefit the middle income household (M40) group, would enable the lowest 40 per cent income household (B40) group to obtain health and medical facilities at government hospitals.

“This hospital will enable government hospitals to focus more on the B40 group who really need the health and medical facilities in government hospitals,” he told a new conference here today.

At present, Melaka has three government hospitals, namely Melaka Hospital, Alor Gajah Hospital and Jasin Hospital.

The media previously reported that due to overcrowding at the Melaka Hospital, some patients had to wait at the lanes as the existing facilities were unable to accommodate a large number of patients.

Adly said so far three locations had been identified as an ideal site for the university hospital, but the location and specification of the hospital has yet to be finalised with the Health Ministry and Education Ministry.

He said the state government had planned to use existing buildings for the university hospital as it could shorten the timeframe to set up the hospital besides cost-saving compared to the construction of new hospitals by the previous state government.

“When the setting up of this university hospital can be speeded up, the people can have the facilities faster. ​​U​niversity hospitals such as UKM (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) and UM (Universiti Malaya) are the best models for us to emulate in developing our university hospital,” he added.

-- BERNAMA