PANTAI HOSPITAL PENANG EXPANSION GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY

SPEECH BY YAB TUAN CHOW KON YEOW

THE CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG

PANTAI HOSPITAL PENANG EXPANSION

GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY

6 AUGUST 2022 (SATURDAY)

 

Yang Berbahagia Tuan Sim Tze Tzin,

Member of Parliament for Bayan Baru Penang

Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Mohammed Azlan bin Hashim,

Chairman of IHH Healthcare

Mr. Jean-François Naa,

CEO of IHH Healthcare Malaysia

Mr. Ivan Loh,

COO of IHH Healthcare Malaysia

Dr. Zulkefli Hussein,

Person-In-Charge and Consultant ENT Surgeon of Pantai Hospital Penang

Dato Dr. Godfrey Geh Sim Wah,

Co-founder and Consultant General of Pantai Hospital Penang

Board of Visitors of Pantai Hospital Penang

Doctors and Head of Departments of Pantai Hospital Penang

Members of the media,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies & Gentlemen,

Good morning.

It gives me great pleasure to be here this morning for the groundbreaking ceremony of the new medical block at Pantai Hospital Penang.

This is an exciting milestone for the hospital, IHH Healthcare Malaysia and another great achievement for Penang.

Part of the State Government’s aspiration in the Penang2030 vision is to increase liveability to enhance quality of life, and therefore, this new development of Pantai Hospital Penang supports this pillar of our vision for the state.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Since 1997, Pantai Hospital Penang has been providing excellent patient care and outstanding clinical outcomes, in ensuring that quality healthcare is extended to all in the community.

The high demand for services at Pantai Hospital Penang is an accurate indication that patients have high confidence in the facility's ability to provide them with quality healthcare.

Now, with the rapid development of this southwest district, which includes numerous new residential developments, parks, and waterways, we can expect a population surge in the area over the next 20 years. Concurrently, the healthcare needs in the area will also grow significantly, and Pantai Hospital Penang will undoubtedly play a vital role in addressing this increasing demand.

I understand that, once the new 7-storey medical block is completed in the fourth quarter of 2024, Pantai Hospital Penang will be a multispecialty hospital, offering a wide range of comprehensive specialities and healthcare services. They will focus on key specialities such as Stroke & Neurosurgery, the only Stroke Centre in the Northern Region, Heart, Urology and Orthopaedics, among other general specialities.

 

It will be equipped with 307 beds, as well as with additional comprehensive facilities. It will adopt the most rigorous international standards in hospital design, operational and clinical management and be supported by cutting-edge medical technology.

Additionally, the new expansion will be built in accordance with a green and sustainable building design to provide a more conducive environment for patients and their loved ones, while also reducing our environmental footprint. The building will adhere to the criteria under the Green Building Index, ensuring efficient use of energy, water, and other materials efficiently throughout operations.

Ladies & gentlemen,

Pantai Hospital Penang is one of the private hospitals fully committed to supporting the state's plans to deliver world-class healthcare, and this new expansion will be an excellent addition to the state's already thriving Healthcare Travel Industry.

We are excited to see Pantai Hospital Penang grow and give their very best to elevate our healthcare standards and economic standing. I wish you the very best as you see to the completion of the new medical blocks in 2024. I believe it will serve as a beacon of hope for many patients and members of our community in the times to come.

Thank you.