Kampar Hospital project still on
Govt to partner with Utar to build new specialist training centre
IPOH: The new Kampar Hospital project has not been called off — instead the Government will be partnering with Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) to build a new specialist training hospital, says Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya.
The Deputy Health Minister said initially, the Government had intended to build a general hospital as announced about five years ago.
“It was to be built on a piece of land donated by the late Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah.
Patients can choose to receive all the conveniences of a private hospital including specialists but at a lower charge.
Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya.
“Work to level the 42ha land took place a year later. But in 2014, Utar voiced its intention to build its own hospital just 4km away.
“So we decided to combine resources and build a bigger hospital with full-fledged facilities,” he said after attending the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital excel- lence awards ceremony yesterday.
Dr Hilmi said the project would serve a dual purpose – as a public hospital and for teaching – bringing much benefit to the people of Kampar.
Dismissing concerns that medical treatment would be costly since it would be a specialist hospital, Dr Hilmi said the proposed hospital would offer a Full Paying Patient scheme.
“Patients can choose to receive all the conveniences of a private hospital including specialists but at a lower charge.
“There are also third class wards, at just RM3 per day. So the interests of the people will be protected,” he assured.
Dr Hilmi, however, said the project cost as well as targeted construction date have not been confirmed, adding that discussions would be held with Utar.
Earlier, Kampar MP Dr Ko Chung Sen reportedly said some 120,000 Kampar residents, hoping for better medical facilities, were disappointed with the Government’s decision to cancel the project.
Presently, the Kampar Hospital, built in 1949 on a steep hill with a capacity for only 90 beds, was difficult to access.
Dr Ko also claimed the hospital was not equipped to carry out major operations and did not provide any specialist care.