KUALA LUMPUR: The feasibility study for the proposed Mara Hospital is expected to be completed within three months, after which pre-implementation work can begin.
Deputy rural and regional development minister Rubiah Wang said Mara had established a special committee comprising experts and professionals to assess the proposal's feasibility and implementation model.
She said the study would cover healthcare needs, location, service capacity and scope, staffing, costs and financing, legal and regulatory requirements as well as alignment with Mara's mandate.
"Establishing a hospital is a complex proposal that requires careful study," she told the Dewan Rakyat today.
She was responding to Isam Isa (BN-Tampin), who asked about the rationale for establishing Mara Hospital and the status of its planning.
Rubiah said the proposal originated from Mara's management, with support from its alumni, in conjunction with the agency's 60th anniversary.
One proposed direction is to develop the hospital as an integrated healthcare hub combining treatment with clinical training, specialist development, applied research and Bumiputera healthcare entrepreneurship.
Rubiah said the hospital could also stimulate the Bumiputera healthcare value chain by creating opportunities for training, careers, research and innovation, as well as developing Bumiputera vendors in pharmaceuticals, medical technology, equipment maintenance, facilities management and logistics.