Langkawi: The Works Ministry hopes that the momentum achieved for the Ministry of Health's (MOH) project in Langkawi will continue to improve, ensuring its completion on time, or ahead of schedule.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the ministry stated that Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan recently visited the project sites to assess the progress of two key initiatives: the construction of the additional building at Sultanah Maliha Hospital (HSM) and the MOH staff quarters. The Public Works Department (JKR) has been appointed as the implementing agency for the RM425 million contract to complete the construction of the additional building at HSM.

The additional building is expected to enhance the hospital's specialist services, reducing the need for patient referrals to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Setar or other major hospitals. It will significantly increase the hospital's capacity by expanding the number of beds from 110 to 330, aimed at accommodating the growing population of Langkawi as well as the rising number of domestic and international tourists.

The project's scope also includes the construction of a multi-storey car park and residential quarters for staff members. As of December 15, 2024, the project has made significant progress, achieving 37.95 percent completion. The construction, which began on January 20, 2022, employs advanced techniques such as the Industrialised Building System (IBS) and Building Information Modelling (BIM). It is expected to be completed by December 26, 2025.

In parallel, the construction of the MOH staff quarters, valued at RM88.68 million, has achieved 58.7 percent progress as of December 15, 2024, and is slated for completion by December 27 of this year. The main focus of this project is to build three blocks of Class G apartment quarters, consisting of 180 units, including four units designed for persons with disabilities, a guardhouse, a Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) electricity substation, and three garbage collection sites, as well as various mechanical and electrical installations.