PENDANG, April 22 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today laid the foundation stone as a symbol for the commencement of construction work on the Pendang Hospital project in Kampung Manggol Pauh here.
Also present at the ceremony were Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya and Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah as well as Kedah Health Director Datuk Dr Norhizan Ismail.
Dr Norhizan said construction work on the hospital costing almost RM 211 million was expected to begin in May involving an area of 42 acres but only 20 acres would be utilised for the first phase of the project while the rest was for future use.
He said the hospital would operate as a minor specialist hospital involving 10 expert services including surgery, orthopaedics, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics and anaesthesiology.
"The project to build the hospital is expected to be fully completed in November 2021 and commence operations with 126 beds, but based on the existing land area, it can accommodate up to 250 beds in future,” he told reporters at the ceremony.
In addition, he said the scope of services for the hospital project included outpatient treatment, in-patient, diagnostic and treatment, medical support, non-medical support, education and training, management, facilities for staff and members of the public.
Dr Norhizan said the hospital was expected to benefit more than 112,000 residents in the district upon full completion later. — Bernama
