Health Minister: Petra Jaya Hospital 85 pct completed, to be operational Q3 2025

KUCHING (Nov 16): The construction of Petra Jaya Hospital has reached 85 per cent completion, according to federal Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

He said the hospital, previously categorised as a ‘sick project’ after numerous delays since construction began in 2013, is expected to begin operations by the third quarter of next year.

“The project is on track this time, and we are confident that we will deliver.

“Keep us in your prayers as we push and nudge the contractor to ensure no further delays,” he told a press conference after attending the state-level ‘Jelajah Agenda Nasional Malaysia Sihat (ANMS) dan Kembara Madani Afiat 2024’ programme at Dataran Perayaan here today.

The Petra Jaya Hospital project was initially slated for completion in November 2016 but it only reached 34.5 per cent progress by 2018, prompting the termination of the original contractor.

“A rescue contractor was subsequently appointed in 2020,” added Dr Dzulkefly.

Earlier, the minister officiated at the programme, which aimed to bring the Health Ministry (MoH)’s services closer to the people by implementing health reforms outlined in the Second Pillar of the 2023 Health White Paper, promoting a shift from ‘sick care’ to ‘preventive health care’.

The programme was also meant to increase public awareness on the importance of maintaining physical and mental health, while offering practical guidance on adopting and sustaining a healthy lifestyle.

Among the activities featured included health screenings, exhibitions by strategic partner agencies and Rahmah sales, as well as interactive displays and activities involving federal and state government agencies, commercial bodies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), which are in-line with MoH’s ‘whole-of-nation’ approach to promoting health and well-being among local communities.

Regarding the issue of nurses’ uniforms allegedly not meeting specifications, Dr Dzulkefly clarified that the ministry had sent the fabric samples to the Chemistry Department for analysis.

“Both the Chemistry Department and the Standard and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (Sirim) are conducting investigations.

“Once we receive the complete analysis results, we will issue a press release or hold a press conference to communicate our decision,” he said, adding that the company in question may be subject to action under the terms of the current contract if it is discovered that the supplied uniforms fall short of the specification.

Also present at the programme were Public Health, Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee; Sarawak Health Department director Dr Veronica Lugah; Sarawak Federal Secretary Dato Ahmad Nadzri Mohd Hassan; Health deputy director-general (Public Health) Datuk Dr Norhayati Rusli; and MoH secretary-general Dato Sri Suriani Ahmad.