Over RM22 Mln Allocated To Strengthen Melaka Healthcare Sector - Ab Rauf

ALOR GAJAH, May 14 (Bernama) -- Melaka has allocated more than RM22 million under the state budget to strengthen its healthcare sector over a three-year period, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.

He said the move was in line with the state government’s priority to enhance the healthcare service and delivery system for the people, as well as the welfare of healthcare workers who form the backbone of the sector.

“The development of the state’s health sector cannot be taken lightly as our healthcare system is facing various pressures, from the growing number of patients and disease prevalence to increasingly high expectations on the quality of health services.

“Therefore, the state government does not want the health sector in Melaka to simply ‘survive’, but to be among the most trusted by the people,” he said at the Santunan Seuntai Kasih, Semekar Legasi Warga Kesihatan programme for the Masjid Tanah parliamentary constituency here last night.

He said that during the three-year period, more than 87 health clinics throughout Melaka, including 13 health and rural clinics in the Masjid Tanah parliamentary constituency, had been upgraded to provide comfort and quality treatment for the people.

Ab Rauf said the Women and Children’s Block of Melaka Hospital would also be built this year as a major step to strengthen the state’s healthcare capacity for the future.

He also expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for approving the construction of the Armed Forces Hospital at Terendak Camp, which he said would greatly benefit security personnel and their families.

Ab Rauf said that several initiatives had also been introduced to strengthen the health sector in the state, including community involvement in providing emergency first aid to the public, as well as the ‘1 PBT 1 Ambulance’ initiative and the installation of emergency systems at key tourist locations.

“The state government is also pushing for the construction of a new hospital in Melaka as an important effort to strengthen the state’s health sector.

“This is because our main hospital has been in service for almost 90 years, and I believe the people of Melaka deserve more modern and comfortable healthcare facilities, as well as to be better prepared to face future health challenges,” he said.

Earlier at the event, Ab Rauf announced RM11,500 in donations to retired healthcare workers in the Masjid Tanah parliamentary constituency, as well as RM1,500 for five health “srikandi” who had served the sector with distinction over many years.

--BERNAMA