Hilmi: New Sungai Bakap Hospital needed

NIBONG TEBAL: A new building is needed to replace the current Sungai Bakap Hospital as the facilities of the existing hospital are getting unserviceable, said the Deputy Health Minister.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya said he learnt that there were many facilities, including beds, that need to be upgraded.
Dr Hilmi said it was vital to improve the hospital in order to offer comprehensive medical treatment such as specialists medical care in the hospital, as a long-term solution for the district.
"Patients in need of specialist medical care currently have to transfer to either Seberang Jaya Hospital in North of Seberang Perai or Bukit Mertajam Hospital in Central of Seberang Perai.
"But both of the hospitals are so congested because they have too many patients," he told theSun after celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri with medical officers in Sungai Bakap Hospital here today.
Dr Hilmi added that, at this moment, the Sungai Bakap Hospital has 105 beds and only 50% occupancy.
However, he said the ministry needs to start planning the expansion of the hospital as a long-term solution because the population of South Seberang Perai has been increasing in recent years.
"The land of Sungai Bakap Hospital is about five acres. There is no more extra land to expand or upgrade the current hospital.
"Therefore, we must find another location to build a new Sungai Bakap Hospital.
"We need time to study the location and also an allocation for the new Sungai Bakap Hospital matter," he said.