Pasir Gudang Hospital To Begin Operations After Achieving 50 Pct Readiness - Dzulkefly

KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 (Bernama) -- The Pasir Gudang Hospital (HPG) in Johor will begin operations after it reaches at least 50 per cent readiness, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

He said the Ministry of Health (MOH) is carrying out meticulous preparations with the Johor government to ensure basic amenities, medical equipment and human resources are sufficient before the hospital begins operations.

"The Johor Menteri Besar and I agreed to ensure that we achieve at least around 50 per cent readiness, not just in terms of the physical building, but also equipment and human resources, before fully operating,” he told a media conference after launching the Malaysian Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT) 2026 here today.

Dzulkefly also said that the hospital staff intake process is expected to be completed by the end of this year or the first quarter of 2026, at the latest.

"The state government will try to give whatever assistance it can to the MOH to ensure all human resources supply can be met by at least 50 per cent for us to begin operations,” he said.

Previously, the HPG - a 20.6-hectare facility located in Bandar Seri Alam that is equipped with 304 beds and offering 14 specialist services - was reported to be ready to start operating in phases from Aug 1.

Meanwhile, Dzulkefly expressed his gratitude following the announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday that the government will expedite the filling of over 4,000 positions at public health facilities, including contract appointments for doctors.

"We are extremely grateful because we have received 4,253 positions, and just recently received the official letter from the Public Services Commission (SPA) regarding the matter.

"We will immediately work on filling the positions, especially to push for the transition of the status of doctors and health workers from contract for service to contract of service and eventually to permanent positions,” he said.

Dzulkefly described the announcement as an incentive for health workers to continue working with the MOH and to boost their morale.

-- BERNAMA