Ministry looking into request to upgrade Sibu hospital

Hospital Sibu in Sarawak could finally be on its way to being upgraded into a regional hospital.

Sibu MP Oscar Ling said Health Ministry was studying a request to upgrade the hospital so that it could offer better medical treatment to people in its surrounding areas.

“The Health Ministry is finally looking into the proposal to expand Hospital Sibu into a regional hospital comparable to interstate hospitals, with complete medical services,” he said in a media statement.

Ling says the Health Ministry is looking into the request to upgrade Sibu Hospital.Under the proposed expansion plan, he said radiotherapy and tumour treatment would also be available in the new building.

The ministry, he disclosed, was also studying the proposal to build an interventional cardiovascular laboratory (ICL) in Hospital Sibu under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK12).

“If the request is approved, construction will start in 2025 and will be completed in two years. If it is not approved, we will continue to make the request under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13),” said Ling.

“I had previously raised the issue in Parliament about Hospital Sibu, which is the second largest hospital in Sarawak, lacking important facilities such as interventional cardiovascular diagnosis and treatment, and radiotherapy.”

He said the upgrading of Hospital Sibu would also benefit hundreds of thousands of people in nearby towns such as Sarikei, Bintangor, Kapit and Kanowit.

At present, patients who need cardiac treatment receive treatment from resident specialists.

“For patients with more serious conditions, they have online consultations with the Sarawak Heart Centre cardiac medical team.

“In addition, patients who need interventional cardiovascular treatment will be immediately transferred to the Sarawak Heart Centre,” Ling said, adding that cancer patients in Sibu were transferred to the Sarawak General Hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, the Rotary Club of Bintulu Central (RCBC) and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) in Hong Kong donated a total of 185 medical equipment and items worth RM486,000 to Hospital Sibu as part of the “Delivery Hope, Touching More Lives” project.

Hospital director Dr Nanthakumar Thiruna-vukkarasu said the equipment would mainly be for outpatient comfort and staff welfare.

“This will promote and encourage my team to work and serve the people better,” he said.

The donated medical equipment included an electrocardio scanner (Holter machine scanner), keratometer/refractometer, gastroscope, and transport incubator.

Other donated items include an air-conditioner, 10-inch exhaust fan, ceiling fan, queue management system, time-stamping machine, five-seater link chair, inline duct fan, and chairs.

Club president Allen Wong Ching Seng said the donation was in line with the club’s mission to provide service to the community.

“The new medical equipment offers better screening and treatment for patients.

“As for upgrading of the facilities, they will provide a safer and more comfortable environment for patients and hospital staff,” he said at the handover ceremony at Hospital Sibu.

LDS representative Brad Douglas said the church was committed to lending a helping hand to the community, especially in humanitarian activities.

“We hope in the future we can continue to provide help where it is needed,” he said.