New Columbia Asia hospital for Miri expected to be completed in 2019

MIRI: A new Columbia Asia hospital with improved facilities will be built here to replace the existing building, which is more than two decades old.

To be sited on a 2.5-acre land at Marina Parkcity, the project is expected to start before the end of this year and to be completed in 2019. It will come equipped with 60 beds — double the number of beds at the current hospital.

“We have already purchased the land and we are waiting for instructions to start the building and once completed, we will be able to double the capacity that we have at the moment,” Columbia Asia Group of Companies medical director Dr Abdul Rahman Mohamad told reporters at the Columbia Asia Hospital Miri 2017 Annual Dinner at a hotel here on Saturday.

Dr Abdul Rahman said that the hospital is also looking at adding other new services.

“These services will serve the needs of several specialties including oncology, cardiology and neurology,” he said, without disclosing the cost of the new building and services.

Currently there are two Columbia Asia hospitals in Sarawak — one here and the other in Bintulu.

“We will also be adding more beds to the hospital in Bintulu. Eighty per cent of renovation works is done now and they are expected to be completed in December,” he said.

He disclosed that other development projects by Columbia Asia would include the building of new hospitals in Selangor, Penang and Johor.

Through the establishment of these new hospitals, Dr Abdul Rahman hoped that Columbia Asia would be able to become a billion- dollar company with encouraging revenue growth.

“It will also create more job opportunities for the local community,” he added.

More than 200 guests attended the hospital’s 22nd annual dinner including specialists, general practitioners and collaborators.

“Through this event, we want everyone to get together, relax and have fun especially after a hard day’s work at the hospital. It is an ideal time for them to let their hair down by interacting with and strengthening bonds between one another,” Columbia Asia Hospital Miri chief of nursing services Ho Siew Choon added.

Singing and dance performances as well as lucky draws were among the highlights of the evening.

Consultant paediatrician Dr Philip Raja (fifth right) presents winning team Columbia Boys Performance with their prize for ‘Best Performance’.

Quality assurance executive/infection control nurse Hii Lu Kiong (left) accepts the lucky draw grand prize of Tissot couple watches from East Malaysia regional general manager Yeoh Kim Looi.

One of the many performances staged during the annual dinner.