Dr Teo: 2019 to be a better year for Mirians

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Dr Teo (standing, front) distributes the meal coupons to the people at Senior Citizens Street in Miri.

MIRI: Year 2019 should be a more exciting one for Mirians, as more plans are in the pipeline to upgrade the healthcare facilities in the city slated for improving the lives of its people.

Miri MP Dr Michael Teo said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had revealed that priority would be given to Miri and Lawas for improvement works on health facilities and services, adding that discussions are going on progressively towards realising the plans.

“We had been working very closely and assisting the Ministry of Health, discussing on the kind of hospitals and facilities – all the relevant information and statistics that they need,” he told reporters after distributing meal coupons at Senior Citizens Street in Persiaran Kabor here yesterday.

According to Dr Teo, Miri Hospital is constantly congested as most of its 350 beds are full almost all the time, adding that congestion also occurs at the Miri Polyclinic.

“Many patients have to wait for their turn at the corridor, or are simply being sent home, which is a very sad and frustrating situation.

“Worst still, patients have to queue up for their doctor’s appointment as early as 4.30am at Miri Polyclinic. When I told Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad about such situation in Miri, he was shocked and wanted to do something about it.

“I had invited him to come here, and he promised to come to Miri and Lawas, probably in January or February. The main intention for this invitation is to show the minister what is happening on the ground and the real problem.”

Dr Teo also said there is also a plan for a new government hospital to be built here, with complete facilities like a polyclinic, as well as more beds and parking spots.

“This is exciting news, and certainly we anticipate the new healthcare facility. On our part in Miri, we have been continuously assisting by providing all the relevant information and statistics. I am sure they will know what to do,” he said, adding that all the details on the new facility would be announced by the Health Minister soon.

At the event yesterday, Dr Teo gave out 400 meal coupons to members of the public as part of Christmas and New Year celebrations.

“It is my way of expressing my gratitude towards those who have been supporting me and giving me the will to fight for the people.”

Recapping on 2018, Dr Teo said it was certainly a fruitful year for Pakatan Harapan – from being the opposition to becoming the ruling coalition.

“Lots of things have been done since we became the government – my utmost concern would be the healthcare facilities in Miri. I am anticipating for more positive changes,” he added.