KOTA KINABALU: The State Health Department has conducted an analysis of the equipment requirements of hospitals and clinics in Sabah since last year, according to State Health Director Datuk Dr Rose Nani Mudin.
“The Ministry of Health is committed to upgrading at least eight hospitals in Sabah, including Kota Marudu Hospital, as previously announced. This also includes equipment,” she said after receiving medical equipment worth RM539,000 donated by two non-governmental organisations, here, Saturday.
The two non-governmental organisations are the Rotary Club of Bintulu Central led by its President Allen Wong and Latter-Day Saints Charities Malaysia represented by Elder Roger Baer.
“I believe the Health Ministry will make the replacements by stages because the equipment is costly, and in Sabah we have 24 hospitals and 327 clinics, thus, replacements of equipment will need to be done in stages,” said Dr Rose.
Dr Rose said this when asked about the recent revelation made by Bandau Assemblyman Datuk Wetrom Bahanda regarding the dire condition of the Kota Marudu Hospital during the State Legislative Assembly sitting.
Damaged refrigerators to store bodies, old hospital buildings and insufficient supply of medical equipment for patients’ use such as oxygen supplies were among the issues he raised.
“All this equipment is included in our list, we have a long list of equipment to be replaced,” said Dr Rose.