KUCHING: The proposed construction of the Sarawak Cancer Centre has been set to be raised at a high-level Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) meeting in Kuala Lumpur this Monday (Aug 11).
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the meeting, centred on health autonomy, which will also involve Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad, will address key matters, including the recent decision to place the construction of the hospital under the Public Works Department (PWD) Malaysia instead of PWD Sarawak.
“The first meeting regarding the cancer hospital with specialists was held in April, and the next one will be this coming Monday under MA63.
“Secondly, I had a meeting with the Sarawak State Health Department (JKNS) yesterday and they have finalised on the hospital’s facilities,” he said.
He said this to reporters after officiating at the National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI) Batu Kawah at MJC New Township here today (Aug 9).
Dr Sim, who is also Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, added that to build a hospital, it must take into account the needs of its end users.
“Meanwhile, the specialists in Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) recommended 310 beds for the proposed cancer centre.
“I fully support that and stressed that the earlier proposal for 200 beds would not meet Sarawak’s needs,” he said.
On March 30 last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the federal government agreed with the construction of the Sarawak Cancer Centre in Samarahan Division.
Anwar said through the project, the Sarawak government is creating history by becoming the first state government to finance a federal project in advance, to speed up its implementation.
Later, on Jul 9 last year, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the federal government has officially approved the establishment of the Sarawak Cancer Centre.
Abang Johari said the state government will proceed with the construction, which is estimated to cost over RM1 billion, using state funds, with the federal government to reimburse the amount as welfare assistance later.
“The first meeting regarding the cancer hospital with specialists was held in April, and the next one will be this coming Monday under MA63.
“Secondly, I had a meeting with the Sarawak State Health Department (JKNS) yesterday and they have finalised on the hospital’s facilities,” he said.
He said this to reporters after officiating at the National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI) Batu Kawah at MJC New Township here today (Aug 9).
Dr Sim, who is also Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, added that to build a hospital, it must take into account the needs of its end users.
“Meanwhile, the specialists in Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) recommended 310 beds for the proposed cancer centre.
“I fully support that and stressed that the earlier proposal for 200 beds would not meet Sarawak’s needs,” he said.
On March 30 last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the federal government agreed with the construction of the Sarawak Cancer Centre in Samarahan Division.
Anwar said through the project, the Sarawak government is creating history by becoming the first state government to finance a federal project in advance, to speed up its implementation.
Later, on Jul 9 last year, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the federal government has officially approved the establishment of the Sarawak Cancer Centre.
Abang Johari said the state government will proceed with the construction, which is estimated to cost over RM1 billion, using state funds, with the federal government to reimburse the amount as welfare assistance later.