KUALA LUMPUR: A former Sabah chief minister has told the federal government to expedite the upgrade of Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) in Kota Kinabalu.
Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Semporna) said a shortage of beds at the state's main hospital had forced patients at district hospitals to wait longer for further treatment.
"Based on a briefing by hospital authorities in August, the situation led to an 86-year-old patient with a bone fracture waiting a week at a district hospital," he said in the Dewan Rakyat.
"Imagine the distress felt by the family while their loved one was enduring such pain," he said during the debate on the Supply (Budget) 2027 Bill.
Shafie said the RM1.2 billion upgrade would add 448 beds to QEH.
He asked Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad to clarify the status of the project, available allocations, and the expected start and completion dates for the main construction works.
He also raised concerns over basic facilities at QEH, saying the hospital has operated without its own kitchen since 2009, with meals prepared at Queen Elizabeth Hospital II (QEH II) and transported over.
Shafie said ward and clinic space remained insufficient, while the pathology laboratory was housed in a dilapidated building requiring urgent attention.
"Hospital development must be accompanied by adequate manpower and medical equipment.
"QEH recorded 297 permanent job vacancies last year, so the government must address manpower needs to ensure doctors and nurses receive sufficient support," he said.
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