ISKANDAR PUTERI, Nov 24 (Bernama) -- The Pasir Gudang Hospital, set to commence operations in stages from March next year, is expected to ease overcrowding at Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA), which is currently operating at maximum capacity.
State Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said the new hospital, slated for completion by the end of this year, would also reduce congestion at Sultan Ismail Hospital (HSI).
“Pasir Gudang Hospital will have 304 beds when it begins operations, and we hope this will alleviate the burden on HSA and HSI,” he told reporters on the sideline of the state assembly sitting at Bangunan Sultan Ismail here today.
He said the State Health Department has also received approval from the Public Service Department to recruit 1,800 staff for the hospital, and the hiring process is underway.
Located in Bandar Seri Alam, Masai, the Pasir Gudang Hospital is built on a 20.6-hectare site. It will feature 304 beds, 14 specialist services, eight operating theatres, 65 outpatient consultation rooms, a mortuary, a drive-through pharmacy and over 1,000 parking spaces.
The RM375.7 million hospital is located 19 kilometres (km) from HSA and 12 km from HSI.
Meanwhile, Ling, who is also Yong Peng assemblyman, said the Johor government hopes construction of HSA 2 would begin in 2026.
The project follows the approval of HSA 2 under the public-private partnership announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the tabling of Budget 2025 last month.
“We hope construction of HSA 2 can commence in 2026 after the design process and discussions for private collaboration are finalised by the Finance Ministry and Health Ministry next year.
“With a capacity of 1,500 beds, HSA 2 will be the largest hospital in the state, significantly relieving the load on HSA,” he said.
The HSA, built in 1938, has a capacity of 1,203 beds.
-- BERNAMA
