KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 – The government has allocated RM1.6 billion to build new hospitals as well as to upgrade existing ones.
In the tabling of Budget 2020 today, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng announced a number of initiatives for the health care sector.
“RM1.6 billion to build new hospitals and upgrade and expand existing hospitals. These include the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital, Kampar Hospital, Labuan Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital Cardiology Center in Sabah,” he said.
He also announced RM319 million to build and upgrade public health and dental clinics and quarters facilities.
To this end, new clinics will be set up in Setiu, Sungai Petani and Cameron Highlands as well as Kudat and Tawau in Sabah, and Long San and Simunjan Rivers in Sarawak.
To ensure emergency and trauma services are more responsive, RM59 million will be allocated to increase the number of ambulances through cooperation with NGO ambulance services.
Budget 2020 also has allocated RM227 million to upgrade medical equipment, as well as RM95 million for renovation of medical infrastructure and facilities, such as at Pontian Hospital.
RM31 million was allocated next year for upgrading and maintenance of ICT services, which will include a pilot project for hospital electronic medical records.
Mobile clinics in rural areas were given RM5 million to benefit especially the Orang Asli. The Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) will be allocated RM57 million. In addition, another RM83 million was also allocated for overall economic development, education and infrastructure of the indigenous.
