Minister calls nine‑year abandoned Tambunan Hospital project ‘sick’, pledges RM988,000 for urgent upgrades

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad with staff during his visit to Tambunan Hospital. — Bernama pic

First Published: Sunday, 16 Aug 2026 8:11 PM MYT

KOTA KINABALU, Aug 16 — The new Outpatient Department (OPD) building project at Tambunan Hospital, which has been abandoned for nine years, will be resumed to improve the comfort of patients and staff.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the situation at the hospital was among the most disheartening things he witnessed during his working visit there today, with patients and staff having to cope with limited space.

“InsyaAllah, we will revive this ‘sick’ project and ensure it is completed for the comfort and rights of the people of Tambunan,” he said in a Facebook post.

Dzulkefly also announced an immediate allocation of RM988,000 to address urgent needs at the hospital, with a large portion channelled towards upgrading the Emergency Department.

He said RM185,000 of the allocation would be used to repair the severely damaged canteen building to provide suitable dining facilities, while the remaining funds would go towards purchasing medical equipment and other necessary amenities.

He also thanked Keningau Member of Parliament and Tambunan state assemblyman Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan for contributing a hydraulic bed and an ultrasound machine to the hospital.

“This is in addition to the six hydraulic beds and one ultrasound machine that were also approved for Tambunan Hospital today. The responsibility of safeguarding the people’s health is made easier when all parties work together,” he said.

Regarding complaints about space at the Tambunan Dental Clinic, Dzulkefly said he had directed that the funding application to address the issue be expedited under the development budget planning for the 13th Malaysia Plan.

Operating since September 16, 1977, Tambunan Hospital is a non-specialist hospital under the Keningau Cluster with a capacity of 49 beds, serving about 43,400 residents across seven sub-districts and 88 villages.

The hospital provides 24-hour emergency and trauma care, as well as outpatient and inpatient services.

During the visit, Dzulkefly was also briefed on the hospital’s staffing situation, operational challenges and the distribution of supporting health facilities in Tambunan, which covers seven sub-districts and 88 villages. — Bernama