THE Kek Lok Si Charitable Medical Centre (KLSCMC) in Air Itam is expected to start operating next month.
Its board member Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan, who briefed the media on the hospital progress, said KLSCMC is now ready to open its doors, pending the issuance of private hospital operating licence.
He said the hospital was now awaiting the green light from Health Ministry.
“Once we get the licence, we will commence immediately.
“In fact, the hospital has obtained its Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) from the local government. The building is fit and safe to occupy.
“Besides that, KLSCMC is a specialist hospital, which has its modern and state-of-the-art medical equipment and devices.
“Being a non-profit charitable hospital, we will treat everyone regardless of race and religion. We do not practise medical tourism, except only for emergency cases to treat foreigners in need.
“Our patients will only have to pay their medical treatments, which will be lower than other hospitals,” he told a press conference before touring the hospital today.
The medical centre, located in the green lung of Air Itam, is a five-storey building with a built-up area of 68,000sq ft.
It has 50 beds while its facilities include X-ray room, ultra-sound, CT-scan, intensive care units, operating theatres, dialysis centre and general wards.
Dr Teng, who is also the hospital’s medical superintendent, said the hospital beds would be expanded in the future while patients can apply to KLSCMC Welfare Department if they could not pay full medical cost.
“The Yayasan Kek Lok Si will subsidise the bill after our Welfare Department survey and special committee approve their applications,” he added.
The hospital also has its resident and sessional consultants specialising in anaesthesiology, general surgery, geriatric medicine and internal medicine, radiology, gynaecology, nephrology, orthopaedic and trauma, joint reconstructive surgery and otorhinolaryngology.
KLSCMC board chairman Datuk Seri Ven Seck Jit Heng was delighted with the hospital’s establishment.
“It’s my dream since I was small,” he said, in line with his Buddhist belief in compassion, harmony and kindness.
Also present were hospital’s adviser Datuk Oo Joo Tee, board member Datuk Seri Steven Ooi, chief operation officer Lai Yeu Kong, matron Cheah Lew Kin, Governance and Welfare Committee members Datuk Hwang Thean Long and Khoo Boo Leong.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan