THE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY OF KEK LOK SI CHARITY HOSPITAL EXTENSION
SPEECH BY THE CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG YAB TUAN CHOW KON YEOW FOR THE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY OF KEK LOK SI CHARITY HOSPITAL EXTENSION
24 December 2023
No. 623 Jalan Balik Pulau
YB Jagdeep Singh Deo A/L Karpal Singh
Penang Deputy Chief Minister (II)
YB Wong Hon Wai
State Executive Councillor for Tourism & Creative Economy
Dato’ Seri Ven. Jit Heng
Kek Lok Si Temple Trustee & Chairman of Yayasan Kek Lok Si
Dato’ Dr Teng Hock Nan
Kek Lok Si Charitable Hospital (KLSCH) Medical Superintendent
Dato’ Khoo Boo Leong
Chairman of KLSCH Board of Visitors
Mr Kek Boon Wei and Mr Krishnan Vadivelu
Members of KLSCH Board of Visitors
Media Friends
Ladies & Gentlemen
A very good morning to all of you.
First of all, I would like to thank Kek Lok Si for inviting me to participate and witness this groundbreaking ceremony of great significance.
I still remember that two years ago, I was also present here to witness the opening ceremony of Kek Lok Si Charitable Hospital. It is inspiring to think that in just 2 short years, under the guidance of Venerable Jit Heng, the hospital is now embarking on a new project which is to add a renal dialysis centre and a cardiology department.
Two years ago, through the efforts of Venerable Jit Heng and his committee members, Kek Lok Si established the first Buddhist charitable hospital in Air Itam. The vision to establish a hospital that is not for profit, and seeks to provide quality healthcare at affordable rates to whomever needs it, regardless of race and religion, was finally realised.
During these 2 years of operation, Kek Lok Si Charitable Hospital has indeed earned its place in the hearts of Penangites. I have been informed that besides Air Itam, Farlim, and Paya Terubong, many patients also came from Seberang Prai and out of state, from southern Kedah and even northern Perak. This hospital has given low-income families an affordable option that is hard to find nowadays.
It is therefore good news for the people of this community, and even for the whole of Penang, that Kek Lok Si Charitable Hospital will be able to provide additional healthcare services and options with this new 3-storey building.
Kek Lok Si Charitable Hospital has gained a good reputation in the community. Besides providing affordable medical services, patients under financial constraints are also able to seek subsidies for their medical expenses through the Yayasan Kek Lok Si.
As Kek Lok Si Charitable Hospital continues to grow, it will also at the same time provide more job opportunities to the community and people of Penang. With the addition of these new facilities, I am sure that there will be more career opportunities available for both healthcare and non-healthcare professionals here. I would like to take this opportunity to urge the people to come or return to Penang, and to work together to create a more compassionate and caring healthcare environment.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Venerable Jit Heng, Chairman Kek Lok Si Temple and Yayasan Kek Lok Si, Dato’ Dr Teng Hock Nan, Kek Lok Si Charitable Hospital Director and the team members for your tireless efforts in promoting charitable healthcare over the years.
Finally, I would like to offer my most sincere wishes that this new addition to Kek Lok Si Charitable Hospital will proceed smoothly and be able to commence its services as soon as possible, to bring more comprehensive charitable healthcare to the people. May we work hard towards a healthy future for the people of Penang.
I wish you all good health. Thank you.
首先，感谢极乐寺的再次邀请，让我参与和见证这富有意义的动土典礼。
我记得，两年前的这个时候，我也受邀前来见证极乐寺慈善医院的开幕典礼。短短两年的时间内，在释日恒长老的推动下，极乐寺慈善医院又开始了另一项的计划，那就是增设洗肾中心和心脏科。
这两年来，极乐寺慈善医院得到社会人士很好的口碑，也获得了槟城人的青睐。我被告知，除了亚依淡，发林和龙尾一带的居民，也有不少来自于威省，甚至吉打南部和霹雳北部的病患也前来极乐寺慈善医院求医。
各位，槟州人口逐渐乐龄化，统计局也估计在槟州乐龄人口在2040年就达到26.2%，也就是全国之首。在人口乐龄化的趋势下，我们也面对了一些挑战，其中就包括医疗服务。除了槟城中央医院、政府诊所，如今私人医院也越来越拥挤，患者需要等待的时间也越来越长，有时也会出现病床不足的情况。
为此，极乐寺慈善医院这项扩建三层楼的医院建筑和增设医疗服务的计划，对这个社区，甚至整个槟州的人民来说，绝对是一个好消息。希望极乐寺慈善医院未来继续不分种族、宗教和信仰下，给所有的民众提供高素质和可负担的专科医疗服务。对于有经济压力和困难的病人，也可通过极乐寺基金会，获得在医疗费用上的援助。
人口乐龄化是不可避免的现象，槟州政府已积极探讨相关政策和措施，以应付乐龄人士的需求，放眼将槟州打造成乐龄友好城市。我也想借这个机会，呼吁更多的医护专才前来或回来槟城发展，一起携手打造一个更具有爱心与关怀的医疗行业。
最后，再一次感谢释日恒长老和拿督丁福南医生，在这些年来不遗余力推动慈善医疗。我衷心祝愿极乐寺慈善医院的这项新计划，能够顺利完成，早日投入服务，提供更加全面和专业的慈善医疗。
祝大家圣诞快乐，健康幸福，也预祝大家新年快乐。谢谢。