New exit road to reach completion by end-Aug
KAPIT: Works on a new exit road at Kapit Hospital have commenced and are expected to reach completion by the end of August, says Bukit Goram assemblyman Jefferson Jamit Unyat.
According to him, the RM3million project was announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg during the latter’s walkabout here last month.
The works comprise the levelling of the hill- slope behind the hospital building and the construction of a 300m exit stretch there.
It is understood that the project is under the supervision of the Public Works Department (JKR).
At the moment, there is only one way in and out of Kapit Hospital.
“The hospital was built on a hillslope. For now, motorists wanting to exit have to go to the ‘dead end’ at the hospital mortuary, turn around and head back to the entry point,” Jamit told reporters during the site inspection on the hospital last weekend.
“This is extremely dangerous in times of emergency, because the road is very narrow – with a width of only about 10 feet.
“Such a situation poses a great obstacle during an emergency – it would be very difficult to evacuate the staff, patients, visitors and also vehicles should any incident like a fire occur,” Jamit said.
He was accompanied by Kapit Hospital director Dr Hii King
The hospital was built on a hill-slope. For now, motorists wanting to exit have to go to the ‘dead end’ at the hospital mortuary, turn around and head back to the entry point. This is extremely dangerous in times of emergency, because the road is very narrow – with a width of only about 10 feet. Such a situation poses a great obstacle during an emergency – it would be very difficult to evacuate the staff, patients, visitors and also vehicles should any incident like a fire occur.
Ching, Councillor Liew Hui Hua, Councillor George Tang, Pemanca Yong Thu Fook, Penghulu Sia Shui Poh, Penghulu Wong Kie Ing, Sarawak United People’s Party ( SUPP) Kapit chairman Ling Thian Ing and his deputy Dato Yong Hua Sying, as well as Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu ( PBB) Bukit Goram Service Centre staff members Douglas Jamit and Cochan Amos.
Jamit stressed the importance of this project, in that upon completion, it would ensure smooth traffic flow going into and out of the hospital.
Last year, the assemblyman had allocated some funds for concrete works on the open ground behind the nurses’ quarters, slated for staff carpark. It is learnt that now, that carpark could accommodate up to 30 vehicles.
This hospital – used to be known as Kapit Mission Hospital – is sited on a terraced site on Bukit Hill Top.
The building was regarded as a gift to this town from the Methodist Mission in 1958.
The hospital was later put under the purview of the Ministry of Health in 1973 – it was then when it became known as Kapit Hospital.
Nothing much has changed since then as far as the physical surroundings are concerned – the only obvious addition is a fourstory concrete building erected by the government there in mid1980s.
Earlier last year, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing, who is Baleh assemblyman, paid a working visit to the hospital where he received and acknowledged the working plan on the road project, presented to him by Dr Hii.
In the State Legislative Assembly ( DUN) sittings in July and November last year, Jamit appealed to the Sarawak government to expedite the exit road project for Kapit Hospital.
Jefferson Jamit Unyat, Bukit Goram assemblyman