RM165m in healthcare projects for Penang as Seberang Jaya Hospital begins new chapter in cardiac care
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the upgrade follows the completion of a nine-storey extension at the hospital, significantly expanding its capacity and medical capabilities.
'This will play an important role in decongesting other hospitals in the region,' Dzulkefly said, adding that the enhanced facilities would allow for faster access to complex medical treatment for residents.
He was speaking to reporters after the project's handover ceremony today, which Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi also attended.
With the new block, Seberang Jaya Hospital now houses 729 beds and 11 operating theatres.
The facility is expected to begin operations in stages on May 5.
Beyond cardiology and cardiothoracic services, the hospital will host subspecialty departments, including otorhinolaryngology (ENT), paediatric cardiology and rehabilitative medicine, he said.
The RM371 million extension project was first commissioned in 2016 under a design-and-build contract managed by the Public Works Department (JKR).
Dr Dzulkefly also announced that 17 new projects valued at RM9.42 million will be launched under the federal government's Rolling Plan 5 (RP5) within the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK12).
A further 19 ongoing projects under RMK10, RMK11 and RP4 of RMK12, with a combined value of RM155 million, are also in progress.
Altogether, 36 healthcare projects worth RM165 million are slated for implementation in the state.
On another note, the minister flagged delays in several Health Clinic (KK) projects. Among them is the KK3 Bandar Tasek Mutiara, which has been stalled for nearly a year but is now back on track. Another, KK3 Mak Mandin, approved in 2023, has yet to break ground.
He also called for faster progress on the RM72 million KK2 Bayan Lepas clinic, which received special funding approval from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
3 hours ago
- Daily Express
Over 10,500 women in Malaysia tested HPV-positive
Published on: Saturday, July 05, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jul 05, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: For illustrative purposes only. KUALA LUMPUR: More than 10,500 women in Malaysia have tested positive for human papillomavirus (HPV) through cervical cancer screening efforts by the Health Ministry over the past five years. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the cases were identified under the Action Plan Towards the Elimination of Cervical Cancer 2021–2030, which has screened over 160,000 women nationwide. Advertisement He also highlighted that 65 per cent of women in the country have not undergone cervical cancer screening in the past three years, a figure he described as alarming, given that cervical cancer is among the most preventable forms of the disease. 'A virus causes it and we can detect it early. It is treatable when caught in time and it is entirely eliminable, if we act decisively. Too many women are unaware, hesitant or left behind, often due to fear, stigma or lack of access,' he said during the launch of Etiqa's Free Cervical Screening Programme Phase Five, held in collaboration with the Rose Foundation here today. Dzulkefly noted that scientific advancements such as HPV DNA self-sampling have made screening safer, more private and painless, with about 90 per cent accuracy, requiring screening only once every five to 10 years. On the screening programme, he said the ministry fully supports community-based efforts, such as Program ROSE (Removing Obstacles to Cervical Screening), which leverages corporate partnerships to create sustainable, patient-centred cancer care models. 'Currently, 44 government hospitals are working with Rose to close critical gaps in access to care,' he added. Dzulkefly also commended Etiqa's continued partnership with the Rose Foundation, with the fifth phase of the initiative expected to benefit 4,000 women, especially in underserved communities. 'This initiative not only expands access, but also supports MOH's aspiration to eliminate cervical cancer in Malaysia,' he said. However, Dzulkefly emphasised that eliminating cervical cancer requires more than clinical efforts as it also demands cultural change and shared responsibility. 'Our fight is not just clinical, it is also cultural and social. We must normalise conversations about cervical cancer, challenge the shame surrounding HPV and reaffirm that there is no shame in prevention, only strength,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
Over 10,500 Malaysian women test HPV-positive in cancer screening
KUALA LUMPUR: More than 10,500 women in Malaysia have tested positive for human papillomavirus (HPV) through cervical cancer screening efforts by the Health Ministry over the past five years. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the cases were identified under the Action Plan Towards the Elimination of Cervical Cancer 2021–2030, which has screened over 160,000 women nationwide. He also highlighted that 65 per cent of women in the country have not undergone cervical cancer screening in the past three years, a figure he described as alarming, given that cervical cancer is among the most preventable forms of the disease. 'A virus causes it and we can detect it early. It is treatable when caught in time and it is entirely eliminable, if we act decisively. Too many women are unaware, hesitant or left behind, often due to fear, stigma or lack of access,' he said during the launch of Etiqa's Free Cervical Screening Programme Phase Five, held in collaboration with the ROSE Foundation here today. Dzulkefly noted that scientific advancements such as HPV DNA self-sampling have made screening safer, more private and painless, with about 90 per cent accuracy, requiring screening only once every five to 10 years. On the screening programme, he said the ministry fully supports community-based efforts, such as Program ROSE (Removing Obstacles to Cervical Screening), which leverages corporate partnerships to create sustainable, patient-centred cancer care models. 'Currently, 44 government hospitals are working with ROSE to close critical gaps in access to care,' he added. Dzulkefly also commended Etiqa's continued partnership with the ROSE Foundation, with the fifth phase of the initiative expected to benefit 4,000 women, especially in underserved communities. 'This initiative not only expands access, but also supports MOH's aspiration to eliminate cervical cancer in Malaysia,' he said. However, Dzulkefly emphasised that eliminating cervical cancer requires more than clinical efforts as it also demands cultural change and shared responsibility. 'Our fight is not just clinical, it is also cultural and social. We must normalise conversations about cervical cancer, challenge the shame surrounding HPV and reaffirm that there is no shame in prevention, only strength,' he said. - Bernama
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Over 10,500 women tested positive for HPV in past five years, says Health Ministry
KUALA LUMPUR: More than 10,500 women in Malaysia have tested positive for human papillomavirus (HPV) through cervical cancer screening efforts by the Health Ministry in the past five years, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. The Health Minister said the cases were identified under the Action Plan Towards the Elimination of Cervical Cancer 2021-2030, which has screened over 160,000 women nationwide. He also highlighted that 65% of women in the country have not undergone cervical cancer screening in the past three years, a figure he described as alarming given that cervical cancer is among the most preventable forms of the disease. "A virus causes it and we can detect it early. It is treatable when caught in time and it is entirely eliminable if we act decisively. "Too many women are unaware, hesitant or left behind, often due to fear, stigma or lack of access," he said during the launch of Etiqa's Free Cervical Screening Programme Phase Five, held in collaboration with the ROSE Foundation here on Saturday (July 5). Dzulkefly noted that scientific advancements such as HPV DNA self-sampling have made screening safer, more private and painless, with about 90% accuracy, requiring screening only once every five to 10 years. On the screening programme, he said the ministry fully supports community-based efforts, such as Program ROSE (Removing Obstacles to Cervical Screening), which leverages corporate partnerships to create sustainable, patient-centred cancer care models. "Currently, 44 government hospitals are working with ROSE to close critical gaps in access to care," he added. Dzulkefly also commended Etiqa's continued partnership with the ROSE Foundation, with the fifth phase of the initiative expected to benefit 4,000 women, especially in underserved communities. "This initiative not only expands access, but also supports the ministry's aspiration to eliminate cervical cancer in Malaysia," he said. However, Dzulkefly emphasised that eliminating cervical cancer requires more than clinical efforts as it also demands cultural change and shared responsibility. "Our fight is not just clinical, it is also cultural and social. We must normalise conversations about cervical cancer, challenge the shame surrounding HPV and reaffirm that there is no shame in prevention, only strength," he said. – Bernama
