Tan (right) and Bong holding up printed images of the photos taken at SGH on Sunday.
KUCHING: The announcement by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam that RM5.4 million has been allocated for the new lifts at Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) has not been converted into action.
In stating this, Stampin MP Julian Tan said the minister made the announcement after much pressure by him and Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen during the last Parliament sitting.
“Four months have gone by since the announcement early last November when we were debating on the 2017 Budget. The minister said the allocation would be given to JKR (Public Works Department) to carry out the project.
“Last October, state Health director Dr Jamilah Hashim told The Borneo Post that the new lifts for SGH would be expected by April 2018. Before talking about the new lifts, Sarawakians are already suffering because many of the existing lifts at the main block of SGH malfunction every now and then.
“Can they do something about the lifts that have broken down while we wait for the new lifts?” asked Tan at a press conference held at the DAP headquarters here.
Tan said he made a visit to the main block of SGH on Sunday, only to find out three out of the six lifts there were out of service.
He took photographs of the notices put up by the hospital to warn users of the malfunctioning lifts, and said one of the notices was poorly scribbled.
Tan added he could not comprehend why the lift which was specifically for patients and emergencies was also out of order.
He recalled an incident last year when a pregnant woman had to deliver her baby in a malfunctioning lift at SGH.
“SGH is considered one of the most neglected general hospitals in Malaysia, in terms of facilities. Now that the minister has announced the allocation, can the government at least give us a deadline – when will the project commence and be completed?
“Based on Dr Jamilah’s statement last October, JKR made a site visit last Aug 3 and the tender closed last Aug 9. She even said the project was at the tender selection stage by JKR.”
Continuing on, Tan said it is imperative for the government to address the malfunctioning lifts at SGH so as to offer greater convenience to patients and visitors.
“Mind you, it was Sunday when SGH isn’t too crowded,” he said of his visit, adding that he could not imagine the inconvenience if the situation persisted after Sunday.
Meanwhile, DAP Socialist Youth Stampin chairman Bong Kuet Vui hoped that the government would stop stalling but get on with providing functioning facilities for the people.
Based on news report last October, the lifts at SGH were installed on July 1, 1995.
When contacted, Dr Jamilah said her department had no jurisdiction over the issue at the moment.
“Perhaps it’s best that you field the question to JKR Sarawak director. For now it’s not within the control of our department.”
She added that the schedule that the new lifts would be expected by April 2018 – which she announced last October – was given to her department by JKR.
Prompted for comments on the three lifts that were not functioning last Sunday, Dr Jamilah said she would have to be briefed by SGH director Dr Chin Zin Hing.
As she was catching a flight at that time, she advised this reporter to contact Dr Chin directly.
However, attempts to get comments from Dr Chin were not successful.
The Borneo Post also called JKR but was told that its director Zuraimi Sabki “is on travelling”.
Asked if any other senior officer could respond to the issue, The Borneo Post was given a contact number.
Attempts to get through the number failed.
People wait for their turn to use the functioning elevators.