TUARAN HOSPITAL SHOULD BE UPGRADED FIRST

Tuaran, Friday March 5, 2010: Datuk Wilfred M Bumburing said that the current Hospital in Tuaran should be upgraded first by the Health Ministry and Health Department the current state of affairs of the Tuaran Hospital is in dire need for upgrading work. He also denied Lim Kit Siang allegation that the BN government has not done anything to develop Tuaran. Bumburing is responding to statement by Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah on the proposed Kinarut Hospital as well as Lim Kit Siang’s statement alleging non-perpformance by BN in Tuaran. Extract of Bumburing’s statement are as follows:
“I can fully understand the major concern by Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin, the deputy minster, when she expounded the need for a hospital in Kinarut. I have brought to the attention of the ministry the condition of the so-called hospital in Tuaran since 2008. I tabled question last year about the same matter. In the 2010 budget I also draw the attention of the ministry to the state of the hospital in Tuaran. During a recent meeting between the Prime Minister and Sabah member of parliaments I have personally asked him why the announced budget of $120 million was reviewed by the ministry. The ministry had assured me in their answer that the second phase construction of the hospital will start this year.
I will be tabling a question on the same matter during the parliamentary sitting this month.
It is most sad that a hospital for large district like Tuaran, with a population of 120,000 has no bed at all. I was also told that the hospital had been down graded to a clinic in the past. In my speech last year to debate the 2010 budget I have outlined all the reason and rational as to why the construction of the hospital is most urgently needed.
DAP national adviser YB En. Lim Kit Siang, during a gathering in Tuaran recently had mentioned the hospital among other things. While appreciating his concern I have to mention that we in the Barisan Nasional have carried our duty and responsibility in bringing up to the relevant authorities matters that are of urgent public interest.
As to the Sungai Damit bridge I have already submitted an application and have discussed with the Minister of Rural Development, who had assured me that this will be looked into positively this year. I will also be seeking the minister on the progress of the project.
In regards to the communal hall in Tuaran, though there is a delay, Datuk Hajiji had assured that it can be used during the harvest festival this year.”