TWO assemblymen from Serian stand united in their request for the construction of the proposed polyclinic there to be expedited.
John Ilus (BN – Bukit Semuja) and Martin Ben (BN-Kedup) both told the august House yesterday that Serian Division needed better medical facilities due to the present congestion at Serian Hospital.
According to John, the elected representatives there are often ‘attacked and belittled’ on social media in view of the lack of medical services and facilities in Serian.
“I once again, like in the last sitting, would like to highlight in this Honourable House on the daily situations at Serian Hospital.
“The sick, young and old alike, who seek medical treatment would cram in there as early as 6am just to get the queuing ticket.
“l notice this scene daily as my office is very near to the hospital,” he said.
John added that the site for the new polyclinic next to the present Fire and Rescue Department building and office along Tasik Danu Road here had been cleared, levelled and gated.
“This Grade 3 polyclinic is waiting for the next phase of the project, which is construction. I hope this would not be like any other clinic or hospital elsewhere, where delays happen here and there,” he said.
In his remarks, Martin said it was reported recently that the outpatients and pharmacy areas had been very congested on a daily basis, due to the high volume of outpatients seeking treatments.
“In most cases, the patients had to wait for long hours just to receive treatment or get their prescription dispensed.
“The A&E (accidents and emergency) unit area is not spared.
“Often, it is also used as the consultation, treatment and waiting areas during peak hours,” he said.
As such, Martin hoped to see that a share from the RM100-million federal allocation under the 2018 budget to be made available for upgrading works on the facilities at Serian Hospital.
“I also propose for better facilities like the new polyclinic to be quickly implemented to resolve the congestion at Serian Hospital,” he said.
On a related matter, Martin also proposed that the Bunan Gega Health Clinic to be upgraded and expanded so that it could have better facilities such as well-equipped laboratories, more manpower, more equipment and ambulatory services.
He pointed out the health clinic is strategically located and capable of serving patients from 20 to 25 villages within a radius of seven to 10 kilometres.
“I am happy to note that medical officers have been stationed there for the last two years.
“However, more could be done if it were to complement Serian Hospital as a secondary medical hub,” he said.