Polyclinic at Penrissen Army Camp coming up soon

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Hishammuddin (seated second right) chats with an army veteran during his visit to the camp.

KUCHING: A polyclinic costing about RM31 million will be built at Penrissen Army Camp here.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the 18,000 sq metre project is scheduled for completion in 24 months’ time.

It will be one of five polyclinics to be built across the country as announced under National Budget 2018. The other polyclinics are proposed for Kluang in Johor, Seberang Takir (Terengganu), Kuantan (Pahang) and Sungai Petani  (Kedah).

Hishammuddin said the polyclinic undertaken by Ministry of Defence (Mindef) will act as a one-stop medical centre for the armed forces, their family members and army veterans.

“We (Mindef) are to build a polyclinic here (Penrissen Camp) that will have healthcare facilities like dentistry, haemodialysis, pharmacy, x-ray, medical support services and sterile services department.

“This polyclinic will act as a one-stop centre to provide proper healthcare services to the armed forces, their family members and the army veterans,” he told a press conference yesterday.

Earlier, accompanied by senior army officers, he made a project site visit, and also visited armed forces family houses (RKAT) at the camp.

Hishammuddin said Mindef was taking seriously the welfare of the armed forces and their family members, and was similarly concerned about army veterans.

The minister said Mindef would not allow the armed forces, while at the forefront base in looking after the national security, to worry about the health of their family members at home as it would affect their morale and jeopardise national security.

“As such, looking after the welfare of the armed forces and their family members in terms of healthcare services and decent homes will always be our (Mindef) priority,” he asserted.

According to Hishammuddin, 20 blocks of Class G in the army camp, comprising 240 units will be upgraded under the RKAT upgrading project planned in 2013.

He said Mindef was preparing an armed forces housing blueprint under RKAT to involve 40,627 units across the country.

Hishammuddin urged contractors doing projects under Mindef to complete them on time as he would not compromise on delays.

“As long as I am the minister (Defence Minister), I mean business when it comes to completing projects under Mindef,” he warned, adding that few Mindef contractors have been blacklisted.

He will make regular visits to ensure all projects under Mindef go smoothly.

Present were Assistant Minister of Transportation Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, and assemblymen for Opar, Batu Kitang, Stakan, Tupong and Piasau, Datuk Ranum Mina, Lo Khere Chiang, Datuk Ali Mahmud, Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman and Datuk Sebastian Ting, respectively.