KPJ Healthcare Berhad

New SMC Ready In Two Years

The development of Sabah Medical Centre’s new 250-bed hospital building is now underway and the new facility is projected to be completed in two years’ time.

The development of Sabah Medical Centre’s new 250-bed hospital building is now underway and the new facility is projected to be completed in two years’ time.

SMC Healthcare Sdn Bhd chief executive director, Mohd Azhar Abdullah said during a ceremony held at the Queen Elizabeth II yesterday, the new il-storey building, with a car park for 500 vehicles is being developed at a cost of RM200 million.

"We will have the capacity to provide more beds and state-of-the-art facilities," he said.

He added, the development reflects the medical centre’s commitment to Sabah and that they are steadfast in their aim to deliver quality medical care to the community.

Additionally, as a member of the KPJ group, the centre will also be able to leverage on their strength and expertise as well as to share resources, he said.

"Unlike conventional hospitals, the new SMC hospital will also offer seamless integration of services for both clinicians and patients using the KPJ Clinical Information system or KCIS.

"SMC will also be investing in facilities with more advanced technologies, including the purchase of Borneo’s first 640 slice CT scan, which will enable diagnosis to be done with greater accuracy," he said.

He added that investments in such facilities are necessary to ensure that quality medical care is provided to the people.

With a capacity of 65-consultant clinics as well as additional sophisticated facilities at the new building, SMC will be able to attract more specialist consultants to join the hospital to provide for a more comprehensive service to the community, he said.

SMC currently has about 30 resident specialists and 40 visiting specialists and it is hoped that the number will increase significantly when the new hospital building opens in two years time.

Similarly, SMC will also build its current strength in cardiology and other medical disciplines and at the same time, enhance their services in other specialties such as cosmetic surgery and other sub-specialised orthopedic surgery.

"This development and expansion will also create more job opportunities for the locals and will allow them to gain greater knowledge and experience in the medical industry, training them for higher positions as they advance in their career development."