GEORGE TOWN, Nov 4 — Two new blocks at Penang Hospital are expected to help ease congestion at its Emergency and Trauma Department, with the women’s and children’s block scheduled for completion in 2027 and the specialist clinics and wards block in 2029.
State Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said the projects formed part of the hospital’s long-term plan to address overcrowding caused by a shortage of ward beds.
He said the Health Ministry was also implementing measures under its patient flow management guidelines, including diverting non-emergency patients from the department through stronger primary healthcare services and better screening at entry points.
“These measures include extending the operating hours of health clinics to allow high-risk patients to be admitted directly to hospital wards, as well as working with nearby private clinics under the MADANI Medical Scheme and PeKa B40 for low-risk cases.”
