Taib: Strive to make Kuching a major medical hub in Borneo

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Taib (centre) takes a closer look at the scale model structure of the new KPJ Kuching Specialist Hospital. He is accompanied by  Dr Jerip (left), Kamaruzzaman (fourth left) and Amiruddin (second right). — Photo by Chimon Upon

Taib (centre) takes a closer look at the scale model structure of the new KPJ Kuching Specialist Hospital. He is accompanied by
Dr Jerip (left), Kamaruzzaman (fourth left) and Amiruddin (second right). — Photo by Chimon Upon

KUCHING: The rise in the number of private hospitals here should spur the development of the local health industry, possibly making the state capital a major medical hub in Borneo.

Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said the strong economic growth enjoyed by the state and the surrounding region would lead to better medical services and more modern facilities as the number of people who could afford them grew.

“The building of a new specialist hospital by KPJ is a healthy initiative that meets the need of the growing population who can afford private health services.

“This trend will continue to grow. In the future, we will witness more medical facilities in Kuching, fulfilling the niche of the prosperous population and their desire to have greater choice and more services from the private sector,” he said in officiating at the earth-breaking of the new KPJ Kuching Specialist Hospital near Taman BDC Stampin here yesterday.

The new 300-bed facility, costing over RM130 million, will feature latest medical technologies in areas such as orthopedics, traumatology, cardiology and heart surgery, as well as chemotherapy and radiation oncology for both local and international patients.

The first phase of the hospital, with a capacity of more than 150 beds in addition to the ones in the intensive care, high dependency, cardiovascular intensive care units (ICU/HDU/CICU) as well as day wards, is expected to be completed in 2017.

Taib also mentioned that the new private hospital would mirror the economic progress of the city’s population, in addition to increasing awareness of the availability of the best medical services that one could afford.

He also believed that the growing need for private health facilities would also provide a healthy environment for the younger generation to plan a career in the health sector. Moreover, Taib also highlighted a potential boost for health tourism, considering the improving economy and development across Borneo, such as those seen in West Kalimantan.

“This is a good trend for the medical profession which in turn, would make the city become a very attractive centre for those seeking medical and other related services.

“In this context, I feel very much encouraged by the potential growth of Kuching becoming an international medical centre, that is more than just tourism,” Taib said.

Still on health tourism, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem reminded specialist hospitals on the need to improve their services and hospitality to attract medical tourists – a move that should also consider the fees for such offerings.

He said competitive rates would attract more people to come to the state for medical treatments.

“The growing medical industry would increase the need for medical personnel and provide better job opportunities for the health fraternity,” he said in a text of speech read by Assistant Minister of Public Health Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, who suggested that medical institutions such as KPJ retrain and absorb graduate nurses, medical assistants and laboratory technicians to be
absorbed into employment.

The ceremony yesterday was also attended by Johor Corporation president and chief executive cum KPJ Healthcare Bhd chairman Datuk Kamaruzzaman Abu Kassim, KPJ president and managing director Dato Amiruddin Abdul Satar, Kuching Specialist Hospital Sdn Bhd chairman Abdol Wahab Baba and executive director Mah Lai Heng.