Penang Hospital to complete new blocks in 2027 and 2029 to tackle overcrowding

An undated photograph shows the exterior of the Penang Hospital. — Picture by Opalyn Mok

First Published: Wednesday, 04 Nov 2026 1:08 PM MYT

GEORGE TOWN, Nov 4 — Two new blocks at Penang Hospital are expected to help ease congestion at its Emergency and Trauma Department, with the women’s and children’s block scheduled for completion in 2027 and the specialist clinics and wards block in 2029.

State Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said the projects formed part of the hospital’s long-term plan to address overcrowding caused by a shortage of ward beds.

He said the Health Ministry was also implementing measures under its patient flow management guidelines, including diverting non-emergency patients from the department through stronger primary healthcare services and better screening at entry points.

“These measures include extending the operating hours of health clinics to allow high-risk patients to be admitted directly to hospital wards, as well as working with nearby private clinics under the MADANI Medical Scheme and PeKa B40 for low-risk cases.”

Gooi was replying to Gooi Hsiao Leung (PH-Bukit Tengah), who asked about measures to address congestion and long waiting times at the department during the State Assembly sitting today.

Gooi noted that the ministry had also strengthened the Bed Management Unit, introduced the Open Bed Policy and expanded the use of multidisciplinary wards to ensure patients could be placed in any available bed.

He said discharge and post-treatment processes had also been streamlined through a Discharge Lounge, with a target of freeing up beds before noon to accommodate new patients.

Statistically, Gooi said the proportion of critical patients in the Red Zone rose to 7.14 per cent by July 2026, up from 6.79 per cent in 2025, while semi-critical Yellow Zone cases rose to 19.81 per cent from 18.92 per cent.

Green Zone cases remained almost unchanged at 40.06 per cent, compared with 40.13 per cent in 2025, while non-emergency cases (LOCUM) declined to 32.99 per cent from 34.16 per cent, he added. — Bernama