Dzulkefly says Taiping Hospital gets RM1.3mil for urgent upgrades and equipment

PETALING JAYA: Taiping Hospital will receive an additional RM1.3mil for urgent upgrades and new equipment, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

The Health Minister said the funds will cover necessities including new beds.

He said he visited the hospital on November 23 to observe current issues.

“I announced RM1.3mil for equipment procurement, treatment machines and facilities upgrades requiring immediate action,” he said after visiting Malaysia’s oldest hospital.

“These measures are being accelerated to ensure a more comfortable, orderly and dignified treatment environment,” said Dzulkefly

He said the Health Ministry will closely monitor developments at Taiping Hospital and other facilities to ensure continuous service improvements.

The hospital will receive RM796,000 to buy new beds and ultrasound machines, and to upgrade the Emergency Department.

The Psychiatry Ward will receive RM549,000 for air conditioners, CCTV with a panic button and to fix broken tiles.

The lights in the Psychiatry Ward will be replaced immediately, and flooring works have begun.

The hospital’s new Emergency Block is under construction and is expected to be completed in January 2026.

On November 17, The Star reported that staff sometimes administer CPR on the floor due to a lack of basic equipment.

The 145-year-old hospital is struggling with ageing infrastructure despite recent awards for stroke and emergency care.

Issues include old equipment, faulty air conditioning and an urgent need for upgrades.

Sources said the hospital is chronically short of beds, especially in the Emergency Department.

They said patients are left waiting on canvas cots or on the floor.

On November 13, the hospital’s woes surfaced on Facebook via a video by Neow Choo Seong.

Neow is the Deputy Prime Minister II special officer and the MCA Youth information chief.

He said he made a surprise visit after complaints that patients were sleeping on the floor.

In the video, a staff member said patients sit on chairs while waiting for wards when canvas beds run out.

She said that during peak periods, CPR had to be administered on the floor.

The video showed air conditioning issues at the Psychiatric Unit and a pile of broken tiles.

The two-minute clip mostly featured Neow speaking to staff members.

Neow told The Star that about 100 beds are needed to meet patient volume, and some beds are too old.

“They need funding from the Federal Government,” he said.

“I will submit a report to the Health Ministry,” he added.

He said he would recommend relocating the hospital to a new site with sufficient parking.