Construction work on the new Sri Aman Hospital to replace the old one, which has been in use since 1959, will be carried out this year and expected to be ready in 2013.
Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said the hospital was necessary as the existing one was no longer suitable and 
the government had agreed to provide an allocation of RM200 million to build the hospital.
He said the site had been identified and earth works would be carried out immediately before construction works could be carried out.
“Earth works will be carried out this year. The existing hospital will be turned into a polyclinic,” he told reporters after visiting the Sri Aman Hospital, here today.
He said Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai, who was also present at the event, was also looking at the emplacement of at least one expert surgeon at the existing hospital immediately.
“For serious cases, they are being sent to Kuching Hospital. The journey takes three hours…this exposes the patient to high risks if they need immediate treatment,” he added.
— BERNAMA KAY KHY AO
CJMY
