IPOH, Nov 27 — The Perak government has approved the use of a land here to build the new specialist training hospital in Kampar.

According to previous news reports citing Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya, the new hospital, a joint-venture between the government and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) would serve as a public hospital as well as a medical teaching facility.

"The government has approved the project in 2012 with the initial concept of a joint venture with a private entity.

"However, in 2014, the concept was changed again to government allocation,” Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon who is state health committee chairman said during the state legislative sitting here today.

He explained that the government decided against pursuing the project as per its initial proposal after learning of Utar’s plan to build a new medical facility 4km from where the new Hospital Kampar would be located.

The Chenderiang assemblyman said the government would be combining resources Utar to build the facility.

"The Health Ministry will instead assist Utar in construction of the new hospital,” he said.

Dr Mah added that Utar has also submitted its request to the Health Ministry on the kind of services it wishes to offer at the new hospital.

On concerns that 60 per cent of the 42ha land approved for the project is former mining ponds, Dr Mah said most land in Kampar are ex-mining ponds.

"The important thing is there will be a new modern hospital with bigger capacity and has the backup of professors from Utar.

"The hospital will also provide state of the art treatment,” he said.