(From left): Dr Wong and Ting looking at the work to replace the air conditioning system at the Specialist 3 area.
MIRI: Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting applauds the announcement by Miri MP Dr Michael Teo that Miri will have a new hospital, but said Dr Teo was probably referring to the extension and upgrading project of the present Miri Hospital which was approved during the previous government.
“If there is a new government hospital for Miri, that is good news and we will be very happy.
“But I have checked with the Land and Survey Department whether the government had applied for another land to construct a new hospital, and they confirmed with me there’s none.
“I was just thinking, during the previous government there was already the upgrading and extension project of our present hospital, and when Dr Teo announced that there will be another new hospital, that was very good news.
“But after checking with the Land and Survey, I think he was just referring to the upgrading and extension project approved by the previous government, because according to the Federal Land Commissioner, there are still a lot of land at the back (of Miri Hospital).
“He (Dr Teo) also mentioned that the new hospital will accommodate about 300 beds, which is the same amount stated in the upgrading and extension project,” he said.
Ting was met during a visit to Miri Hospital to see the progress of the RM6.08-million project to replace Miri Hospital’s air conditioning system yesterday.
The project is about 10 per cent completed since the work started last month.
According to him, funding for the new air conditioning system was allocated by the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water last year.
“We want to thank the ministry for the funding. We also want to thank members of the public for their kind understanding while this upgrading work is being carried out.
“All this is being done for the benefit and comfort of the people. There may be a bit of inconvenience while the work is being carried out and we apologise for that,” he said, adding that this is the first time the air conditioning system is replaced since the hospital started operation in 1995.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters after accompanying Ting to see the progress of the project, Miri Hospital director Dr Jack Wong said the project is currently in the first phase.
“The first phase covers all the outpatient areas; namely Specialist 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. This is expected to be completed by April.
“Then, we will enter the second phase which will cover the critical areas such as the ICU (intensive care unit) and the OT (operation theatres). After that, we will go into the ward areas,” he disclosed.
He added that the replacement of air conditioning system for the whole of Miri Hospital will be completed by the end of December.
The work will be carried out in phases and each phase will involve different areas in the hospital. Affected areas will be closed to the public while the work is being carried out and its services will be temporarily moved to a different location in the hospital.
In view of this, Dr Wong advised members of the public or hospital patients to follow up on the project via the hospital’s Facebook page ‘Miri Hospital Official’ or local newspapers before making their hospital visit.
“However, we also have a public relations officer on the ground who can assist any of the patients or members of the public who might be at a loss during their visit here,” he said.