TAMBUNAN: 16 August 2026 – Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad visited Tambunan Hospital on Sunday and announced an immediate allocation of RM988,000 to address the urgent needs of the healthcare facility.
The bulk of the allocation will be used to upgrade the Emergency Department, while RM185,000 has been set aside to repair the badly damaged canteen building. The remaining funds will go towards the purchase of medical equipment and other facilities.
Keningau Member of Parliament and Tambunan State Assemblyman Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey G. Kitingan also contributed a hydraulic bed and an ultrasound machine. The Ministry of Health additionally approved six hydraulic beds and another ultrasound machine for the hospital.
The Health Minister gave his commitment that the stalled new Outpatient Department building project — which has been abandoned for nine years — will be revived and completed. Patients and staff have long had to contend with cramped and overcrowded existing facilities.
On the shortage of space for the Dental Clinic, Dr Dzulkefly directed that a funding application be promptly submitted for consideration under the 13th Malaysia Plan.
Dr Jeffrey welcomed the Health Minister’s visit to see for himself the reality of the hospital’s long-neglected facilities. He expressed appreciation for the attention given to the healthcare needs of the interior community.
He also thanked the Ministry for the addition of two ambulances for Tambunan Hospital, three for Tenom Hospital, and one for the Patau Health Clinic.
The issue of delays in the Tambunan Hospital project has been raised several times by Dr Jeffrey in the Dewan Rakyat. On 4 November 2024, he highlighted the ailing project in his constituency with the memorable remark: “The sick become sicker because the hospital is sick.” He reiterated the same issue on 3 March 2025, seeking clarification on the status of a project that should have been completed.
For the people of Tambunan, a fully functioning hospital is both a necessity and a right. With the Ministry’s commitment and sustained parliamentary advocacy, the rakyat hope that this announcement will be translated into tangible action.
