KUANTAN, May 29 — The construction of a new block for women and children at the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital (HTAA) here at a cost of RM605 million will commence soon, said Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa.

She said the Public Works Department (JKR) is currently in the final stages of selecting the main contractor which is expected to be finalised latest by the end of June.

“The components of this project involve an additional 376 beds and several main facilities such as the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and High Dependency Unit (HDU).

“It will also include specialists clinics, operating theatre, Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) and car parks,” she said at a press conference after a working visit to HTAA here today.

Also present were Health deputy director-general (Public Health) Datuk Dr Norhayati Rusli; Pahang Public Works, Transport and Health Committee chairman Datuk Mohammad Fakhruddin Mohd Ariff and Pahang Health director Datuk Dr Nor Azimi Yunus.

The construction of the new block was approved in the Third Rolling Plan under the 11th Malaysia Plan (RMK11) in 2019 to benefit about 564,000 residents in the district when completed.

Meanwhile, on the construction of the Maran Hospital which has been delayed for quite sometime, Dr Zaliha said it is in the initial stages and the Pahang Health Department (JKNP) visited the new site on Thursday (May 25).

The JKNP will obtain a site assessment from the relevant authorities including the JKR, Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS), and confirmation of land status from the District and Land Office.

Overall, Dr Zaliha said allocations amounting to RM1.12 billion were given for the purpose of health development in Pahang, which also included RM12.9 million for upgrading dilapidated health clinics which she announced yesterday.

Regarding the upgrading work, Dr Zaliha said the procurement process for 41 clinics has completed and the projects are expected to take between two and seven months to complete, while another clinic is in the procurement process. — Bernama