THE tender for Phase 2B of the Lawas Hospital project, which was opened for bidding on May 4, will close this Aug 1.
Assistant Minister of Housing and Public Health Dr Annuar Rapaee informed the august House yesterday that 12.3 per cent of the total allocation amounting to RM228.1 million had been utilised so far.
He was responding to questions from Baru Bian (PKR-Ba Kelalan) on the status of the Lawas Hospital development.
“The project involves Phases 1 costing RM2.4 million, Phase 2A (RM25.6 million) and Phase 2B (RM200.1 million). Phase 1 and 2A have been completed,” he said.
However Dr Annuar, also Nangka assemblyman, said the date of completion of the project, which should take 36 months, would depend on the tender process.
Unclear of the reasons why the project had been called for a re-tender, Dr Annuar assured all members that he would get back to Baru on that matter.
On placement of permanent specialists at the hospital upon completion, he explained that this would very much depend on the capacity of patients as well as the bed occupancy rate.
“But we have specialists making visits to all rural clinics including in Limbang,” he pointed out.
On the numerous requests for new health clinics, Dr Annuar informed Mohd Chee Kadir (BN-Kabong) that the government had no plans yet to build a new facility to replace the existing Nyabor Health Clinic.
“The clinic is currently serving 5,027 people. But, the clinic has been listed under Rural Transformation Plan (RTP) this year for upgrading using the National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS) approach in collaboration with Malaysia Construction Academy and is estimated to cost RM95,000,” he said.
Similarly, Dr Annuar informed Rolland Duat Jubin (BN-Meluan) that the Julau Health Clinic, which could handle 150 patients per day, only recorded on average 120 patients visiting per day and as such, there was no plan yet for a new facility.
“The clinic is quite well equipped for mothers and children (and) outpatients. It has an X-ray lab as well as sufficient manpower, so the needs for expansion and additional staff have not arisen yet,” he said.
On the status of the new Daro Health Clinic set to replace the old facility which was burned down in October 2015, Dr Annuar informed Safiee Ahmad (BN-Daro) that RM3.5 million had been approved for a Category 4 clinic.
“The workscope includes clinic buildings, staff quarters as well as medical and non-medical equipment. However, the project is still in the planning and designing stage.
“Once completed, a team of medical staff will serve there including medical officers, pharmacists, nurses, assistant medical officers, lab technicians and nutritionists,” he added.