Construction of Lubok Antu clinic held back by Covid-19, delays, and contract termination

Dr Ooi Choo Huck. Photo courtesy of Ministry of Health

KUCHING, Nov 11: The construction of the Lubok Antu clinic suffered a serious double blow after the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2019 that resulted in the project being halted followed by discouraging progress from the contractor despite being granted an extension.

Sarawak Health Department director Dr Ooi Choo Huck revealed that the contract for the project involving the construction of a Type 4 health clinic was terminated in the middle of this year based on a recommendation of the implementing agency, Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak.

“JKR Sarawak is currently carrying out a reevaluation of the remaining abandoned works on the site to obtain the latest cost estimates.

“If there is an increase in costs, the Ministry of Health (MoH) needs to obtain approval from the Ministry of Economy through a Notice of Change (NOC). The re-tendering process can only be carried out after getting the latest costs,” he said in a statement today.

He was responding to a news report by a national media portal where a resident spoke up about the severe delays in the RM28 million project which was initially slated for completion on Oct 28, 2021. However, two years after the scheduled completion date, the clinic is nowhere to be seen except for the pile foundation.

Dr Ooi also mentioned that the project commenced after the cost was finalised and the procurement process was completed in 2019.

However, he said delays in construction initiation occurred due to rice planting activities by local villagers at the clinic construction site, leading to the project’s setback until they finished harvesting the rice.

“Right after the contractor started construction work at the beginning of 2020, the country was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, resulting in the work only being able to start after getting permission from the government,” he added.

Dr Ooi also refuted the claim made by the resident about patients waiting outside in a camp for their turn for treatment.

He explained that the existing Lubok Antu health clinic waiting room can accommodate 50 patients at a time.

“The tent was set up outside the clinic building as a triage room during the pandemic and it is now used as an additional waiting room for about 20 patients.

“The congestion typically occurs during peak morning hours when most patients are present with their family members. The average daily attendance recorded in 2022 was 136 patients per day and it did not exceed the capacity limit of the existing Type 5 health clinic,” he said.

Furthermore, Dr Ooi assured the public that treatments are conducted within the clinic building.

He also welcomed residents to contact the Sri Aman Divisional Health Office or the Health Department should they have any concerns or queries on the progress of this project. — DayakDaily