QUEEN Elizabeth II Hospital will retain its name, said Datuk James Ratib.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had previously announced the hospital’s rebranding as Sabah National Heart Institute during his visit to the State.
“Regarding the renaming of Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, we will maintain its current name until we have a new dedicated building for the Sabah heart institute,” said Ratib during the State Assembly’s question-and-answer session.
“The land, as announced by the Chief Minister, measuring 10 acres (4.047ha) near Universiti Malaysia Sabah, is solely for the construction of the institute.”
Ratib, who is State Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister, was responding to questions from Datuk Dr Jaujan Sambakong (Sulabayan-Warisan) on Queen Elizabeth II Hospital’s status and when it will operate as a heart treatment centre.
He said the hospital has been providing heart treatment services since 2012. He added that the eighth floor of Queen Elizabeth II Hospital is dedicated to heart patients.
“Queen Elizabeth II Hospital still accommodates other patients from Sandakan and throughout Sabah. Hence, the allocation of RM80 million is used to expand emergency services, upgrade cardiac patient beds and enhance doctors’ expertise.
“Previously, we could perform one to four surgeries per day. With the allocation announced by the Prime Minister, we may now be able to increase this to performing surgeries on up to 10 patients daily.”
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