Minister wants Semporna Hospital water shortage problem resolved

KOTA KINABALU: Minister of Health and People’s Wellbeing, Stephen Wong, wants the relevant authorities to resolve the water shortage in the Semporna Hospital.

After visiting the hospital on Monday, Wong said that he was informed by the management that they had been facing water shortage problem for three years and it had caused much inconvenience to patients, doctors and nurses there.

Wong, who was disappointed that the problem had gone unresolved, promised to raise the issue at the state cabinet and to direct the relevant department to resolve the problem immediately.

“Water is a necessity required in a hospital, in terms of hygiene and for cleaning wounds, instruments and various other equipment. At the moment, because of the water shortage, doctors and nurses had to resort to getting water from outside or ensuring that the water tanks there are filled up.

“This is unreasonable and unacceptable. This will not only affect the quality of health care but also cause inconvenience to patients,” he added.

Wong, accompanied by Janet Chee, the permanent secretary of his ministry, Dr Abd Kahar, Sabah Health Department deputy director, and his political secretary, Phoong Jin Zhe, who is also the Luyang state assemblyman, visited the hospital for the first time and listened to the briefing from the hospital management.

The hospital management informed that the water shortage problem in the hospital had been ongoing for three years, despite letters written by the hospital to the relevant authorities since 2016. Unfortunately, the problem has not been resolved.

It is understood that as Semporna hospital is located far from the water supply source and positioned as the last stop of the supply line, it was inevitable that Semporna hospital would always face water shortages.

Wong said he will do his best to ensure that the water source can be provided in the shortest time possible.

Besides the briefing session, the hospital also arranged for distribution of 30 goodies bags to patients in the children’s ward.

Wong (right) being briefed on the water shortage problem at Semporna Hospital. Also seen are the hospital water tanks that need to be filled up regularly.