RM80m Sabah Heart Centre nod
Published on: Sunday, April 21, 2024
By: Sherell Jeffrey
Anwar (middle) and Hajiji (behind Anwar) meeting the public while attending the Madani 2024 National Aidilfitri Celebration at the Sabah International Convention Centre, Saturday.
Kota Kinabalu: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Saturday announced a major upgrade plan to transform Queen Elizabeth Hospital 2 into the Sabah Heart Centre.
This would make it the second largest heart centre in the country after the National Heart Institute (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur. He said preliminary works are scheduled to commence this year.
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The announcement was made during the National Hari Raya Open House ceremony at the Sabah International Convention Centre, here. Some 25,000 visitors attended the event. Present were Head of State Tun Juhar and his wife, Deputy PMs Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zaid and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
As Sabah continues to make strides in various sectors, the upcoming Sabah Heart Centre is poised to become a landmark healthcare facility, elevating cardiac treatment standards and providing much-needed relief to patients who previously had to travel out of the State for specialised cardiac care.
Anwar said the hospital would undergo a comprehensive upgrading process based on two key aspects – refurbishing existing spaces as well as infrastructure enhancements covering the Emergency Department, inpatient wards, daycare facilities and installation of new medical equipment.
He said RM80m has allocated to fund these upgrading works, create additional healthcare positions and facilitate the rebranding of Queen Elizabeth Hospital 2 to the Sabah Heart Centre.
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Currently, Queen Elizabeth Hospital 2 offers adult and paediatric cardiology and cardiothoracic services with facilities including 107 patient beds, specialist clinics, invasive and non-invasive catheterization laboratories, and a cardiothoracic operating theatre.
Anwar acknowledged that current services are inadequate to meet Sabah’s growing healthcare demands, with the bed occupancy rate already reaching 75 per cent.
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“To address this, we will be immediately boosting the expertise and support staff at the new Sabah Heart Centre. This includes the addition of three more specialists – one cardiologist, one cardiac surgeon and one cardiac anaesthesiologist, as well as nine trainees,” he said.
The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the Sabah Heart Centre would play a pivotal role in elevating cardiac care standards for Sabahans, reducing the need for them to seek treatment in other states or abroad.
Anwar also conveyed his appreciation to Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor for his dedication in implementing various development initiatives, particularly in tackling hardcore poverty, which remains a key priority for the state government.
“I am confident that under Hajiji’s leadership, the Sabah government will be able to resolve issues collaboratively with the Federal Government, especially in areas bordering other countries that face encroachment problems,” Anwar said.
He highlighted that this close cooperation between the State and Federal governments would benefit all Sabahans, further strengthened by federal allocations.
Anwar also touched on efforts to spur economic opportunities, including the establishment of more than 80 stalls and food outlets in Kuala Lumpur, with plans to replicate similar initiatives in other cities to support local entrepreneurs.
The Prime Minister also advised the public to maintain their health by eating moderately, reducing sugary and fatty foods, and increasing physical activity to prevent heart disease.
Anwar further stated that the Federal Government also agrees with the Sarawak government’s proposal to establish a National Cancer Centre in Kuching.
The ceremony was further livened up by the attendance of thousands of residents since 8am, savouring the array of delicious food served and the presentation of cultural performances.
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