Government surgical facilities in Terengganu out of action

Almost all the operating theatres in government hospitals in the state are not functioning. And Chief Minister Datuk Ahmad Said is not amused.

Ahmad also expressed disappointment over the delay in the completion of operating theatres in several hospitals in the state, saying it was a loss to the Government and could jeopardise the lives of patients.

The operating theatre in Besut Hospital has been delayed by six years, the one in Kemaman Hospital by three to four years, while the one in Setiu Hospital has been delayed by nearly seven years.

The problems faced by other operating theatres in the state include bug infestation and leaks. It is learnt that 60 surgeons from various departments in public hospitals depended on the operating theatres.

A senior official from the Terengganu Health Department said there were six public hospitals in the state with operating theatres and one private health institution that provides surgical services.

The defective operating theatres have also affected the function of supporting units, like patient rehabilitation and post-surgical treatment.

"These hitches are a burden to medical officers," he said.

The official said completed operating theatres could not be utilised due to some glitches, the worst-affected being the hospital in Setiu where a leaking roof - due to sloppy workmanship - had damaged the facility.

However, he said defects in the operating theatres had forced hospital authorities in other districts to refer their patients to either Kuantan, Kota Baru or Kuala Terengganu hospitals, depending on the proximity and urgency of cases.

The Metri Besar, who handed over RM5.7mil worth of multislice computerised tomography equipment to the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital here yesterday, said: "The people are angry with the government. Surgeons are also disappointed because they cannot do their job,"

Ahmad hoped the Public Works Department would take note of the matter.

He also said Terengganu would soon have a heart institute costing RM27mil in Kijal, Kemaman, and that the state government had bought the Strawberry Park in Kijal to house the institute.

The tomography machine is capable of capturing 64 X-ray images at each scanning session and can be configured to capture up to 128 images.

The Terengganu Public Works Department has been directed to probe the leak and submit its report to the state government as soon as possible.

State Health, Unity and Consumerism Affairs Committee chairman Dr A. Rahman Mokthar said the government would decide later whether it would bear the cost of remedial work based on the report.

By R.S.N. MURALIThe Daily Star/Asia News Network