JOHOR BAHRU: After several years' delay, construction of the new wing of the KPJ Puteri Specialist Hospital here at a cost of over RM120 million (including for equipment) is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

KPJ Healthcare Bhd executive director cum KPJ Puteri chairman Aminudin Dawam said construction is now 60 per cent completed.

“The ground-breaking ceremony was held in 2012 but construction began only in 2014. The project faced many challenges including technical and contractor problems, and construction was temporarily halted but resumed at the end of 2017. 

“On behalf of KPJ Puteri, I apologise for the temporary halt, but the project is now expected to be completed by year-end and due for opening early next year to coincide with Johor's hosting of Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) 2020,” he said at the new wing's topping off ceremony here today.  

Also present were Johor Corporation president and chief executive cum KPJ Healthcare Bhd (KPJ Healthcare) chairman Datuk Kamaruzzaman Abu Kassim, and KPJ Healthcare president and managing director Datuk Amiruddin Abdul Satar.

Aminudin said when fully completed, the new wing will add 100 beds to bring KPJ Puteri's total number of beds to 240.

It will also host an additional 20 specialist clinics and several new specialist doctors in line with KPJ Puteri's aim to be the leader in the provision of neurological and pediatric services as well as thoracic and robotic surgery, he added.

KPJ Puteri is one of six KPJ Healthcare specialist hospitals in the state. The others are KPJ Johor, KPJ Kluang, KPJ Pasir Gudang, KPJ Bandar Maharani Muar and KPJ Bandar Dato Onn. - Bernama