Socso to set up hospital in Perak

IPOH: A rehabilitation centre and a hospital managed by the Social Security Organisation (Socso) will be built in Perak, says state exco member A. Sivanesan.

He said both the facilities would be constructed under a minimum cost of RM500mil by Socso at a location which is yet to be identified.

Sivanesan, who is the Health, Environment and Human Resources Committee chairman, said the rehabilitation centre is expected to be the largest in South-East Asia.

With the creation of both facilities, this would reduce the cost of payments to Socso contributors involved in work-related incidents.

“There is now a rehabilitation centre by Socso in Air Keroh, Melaka. But the hospital will be the first for Socso in the country.

“We are looking at four spots to build both the facilities on a 40.5ha piece of land which will be closer to the North-South Expressway exits,” he told a press conference on the sidelines of the state assembly sitting yesterday.

Sivanesan added that once the facilities are up, about 500 workers are expected to be employed.

“Once completed, these facilities will allow Socso contributors from Perlis right up to Rawang to get treatment for free.

“Those from Rawang and the southern states could seek treatment at the Air Keroh facility,” he added.

Sivanesan said Socso hoped that with the rehabilitation centre and the hospital, chances of more workers recovering from work-related accidents would be a reality.

He said top officials from Socso would be visiting Perak tomorrow to finalise the matter with the state government and to seek a suitable location to set up the facilities.

“These facilities will be opened to the public as well, especially for medical tourism and non-Socso contributors. But they will be imposed a different fee structure,” he added.