Assistant minister: Burns unit for Bintulu under construction

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KUCHING: A RM5 million burns unit is under construction in Bintulu which will cater for all burn victims from the central region.

However, the government presently has no plan to build a burns unit in Sibu as it has a basic ward to treat burn patients, revealed Public Health Assistant Minister Datuk Dr Jerip Susil.

“There is no plan to have a burns unit in both Sibu and Miri because it is very expensive to set up. For example, equipment such as specialised bathtub for burn victims is very costly. And if there is a burns unit, there is a need for plastic surgeon to be on duty,” Dr Jerip told The Borneo Post yesterday.

With the completion of the burns unit in Bintulu Hospital, all burn victims from Sibu and the Rajang Basin requiring further treatment will be sent there instead of Kuching. .

The Bengoh assemblyman was commenting on the death of 51-year-old Sng Guan Hock who on April 1 sustained 52 per cent burn in an explosion in his flat unit at Sibu Jaya where he ran a tuck-shop business.

As Sibu Hospital has no burns unit, Sng was flown to Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) for further treatment on April 13. Though his condition was initially quite stable he passed away on Tuesday.

State Health director Datu Dr Zulkifli Jantan said SGH has a burns unit to cater to severely burnt patients.

“All hospitals can manage acute burn cases in the early state. If the burns are extensive and involve inhalation injuries, they will be referred to SGH. SGH also provides plastic and reconstructive surgery and other burn-related treatment for acute care,” said Dr Zulkifli.