Health Ministry monitoring 23 ‘sick’ projects, including Rembau Hospital
REMBAU: The Health Ministry is monitoring at least 23 “sick” projects, including the construction of hospitals and clinics nationwide.
Its minister, Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, said these projects were classified as “sick” or “red” due to a 20 per cent delay in terms of construction progress compared with their designated completion period.
He said he would monitor the projects within the next one to two weeks.
“We strongly advise all contractors to ensure that the projects are completed within the stipulated period or face stern action, including penalties and possibly blacklisted from receiving the ministry’s future tenders.
“After this, we will emphasise on open tenders as many projects given through direct negotiations have problems, including disruptions,” he said after visiting the Rembau Hospital construction site, which has been delayed for almost two years, causing the ministry to incur an additional cost of about RM8 million.
Present were state Health, Environment, Cooperative and Consumer Committee chairman S. Veerapan and Health Department director Dr Zainudin Mohd Ali.
On the construction of Rembau Hospital, Dr Dzulkefly said the project started in September 2013 with an original cost of RM96 million.
It should have been completed in September 2016, but was delayed due to problems faced by contractors, including building plans earlier on.
Dr Dzulkefly said based on the current situation, he believed that the project would be completed early next year, although the contractor had given the assurance that it would be finished by end of the year.
After this, we will emphasise on open tenders as many projects given through direct negotiations have problems, including disruptions.