Bukit Mertajam Hospital Marks 136 Years, Renews Commitment To Better Healthcare

BUKIT MERTAJAM, Oct 2 (Bernama) -- Bukit Mertajam Hospital, one of the country’s oldest government hospitals, marked its 136th anniversary with a renewed commitment to improving healthcare services for residents in Seberang Perai Tengah.

Established on Oct 1, 1890 with just 52 beds and four wards, the heritage hospital has since evolved into a minor specialist hospital with a capacity of 242 beds, serving hundreds of thousands of patients each year.

Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim Chee Keong said the hospital holds significant historical value and has remained a key pillar of healthcare for the local community, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“With the passage of time and the rising number of patients with chronic illnesses, the infrastructure of this more-than-a-century-old hospital requires continuous upgrading without relocating it from its original site,” he said at a charity gala dinner held in conjunction with the hospital’s anniversary tonight.

Also present was Bukit Mertajam Hospital director Dr S. Prashant. 

Sim, who is also Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister, said he would continue working with the Health Ministry and Penang government to ensure the hospital expansion, modern equipment and additional land acquisition could be realised for the benefit of patients and healthcare workers.

He said the development was necessary to address the hospital’s ageing infrastructure, rising number of chronic patients and congestion in waiting areas, with nearly RM10 million allocated for its development over the past five years, including RM3.5 million from the Federal Government this year.

-- BERNAMA