SANDAKAN: The Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) has approved a total of RM1.055 million for minor works and improvements at Duchess of Kent Hospital (HDOK) in Sandakan.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad stated that the allocation is intended to support the expansion of the hospital’s operating theatre facilities, as well as to procure necessary medical and non-medical assets.
“This allocation is also part of an urgent request made by the hospital to meet the immediate needs of both the facility and its patients,” he explained.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});Among the planned improvements are the addition of chairs in patient and visitor waiting areas, replacement of mattresses and pillows, and upgrades to the hospital’s operating theatre requirements.
He made these remarks during a press conference following an intensive working visit to HDOK Sandakan on Tuesday.
Also present were Member of Parliament for Sandakan, Vivian Wong Shir Yee, and HDOK Sandakan Director, Mohd Fahmie Othman.
In a related development, the Minister noted that preliminary works are actively being carried out to upgrade HDOK Sandakan in line with current healthcare demands.
He added that the proposal includes the construction of a new hospital block to house 594 beds to accommodate increasing patient needs.
At the same time, he stressed the importance of upgrading existing health clinics (Klinik Kesihatan) in the area to enable them to receive and manage referable cases, thereby helping to reduce congestion at HDOK Sandakan.
During the working visit, Dzulkefly also inspected the wards in the old HDOK building, which has been in operation since 1952 and is in need of appropriate attention.
He also visited the Karamunting Rural Clinic and Kinabatangan Hospital to assess their current infrastructure and service requirements.
