Search for suitable site for new hospital still on

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SIBU: The government will look for a site for Sri Aman’s new divisional hospital, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

GOOD HEALTHCARE: Liow (second left) is introduced by Jabu (second right) to a patient awaiting her turn for treatment at the hospital. Looking on at right is Uggah.

“A site has been identified but as it is in a peat area it requires quite extensive soil treatment and therefore is not suitable,” he said.

He told reporters this after he visited Betong District Hospital yesterday.

He was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah Embas and Deputy Minister of Information, Communication and Culture Datuk Joseph Salang.

He said the government too would identify suitable places in Spaoh (as suggested by Jabu) and in Sarikei for setting up new 1Malaysia clinics.

Meanwhile, speaking after a briefing given by the hospital director Dr Jeffrey Stephen, Liow said Malaysia had some of the most sophisticated and comprehensive medical services among developing nations.

“As such, the average lifespans of Malaysians are now about 72 years for men and 76 for women compared to 55 years and 58 previously.

“We have significantly reduced infant mortality rate due to very good mother and child health care,” he said.

Nonetheless, Liow called on the people to continue to take serious care of their health to enjoy even longer life.

Earlier, in his speech, Jabu hoped the federal government could consider elevating the status of Betong Hospital from a district to a divisional hospital soon.

He said this was because Betong has become a full-fledged division.

Also present were senior ministry officials from Kuala Lumpur and Kuching.