KOTA KINABALU: August 18, 2026 – The Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) has approved an allocation of nearly RM4.3 million to address urgent facility and medical equipment needs at the Tambunan, Ranau, and Kota Belud hospitals.
Health Minister Datuk Dzulkefly Ahmad said the approval was made following his visits to all three hospitals to personally assess the condition of facilities and healthcare service requirements at the district level.
At Tambunan Hospital, RM988,000 was approved to upgrade the Emergency Department, repair the damaged canteen, and purchase medical equipment such as an ultrasound machine. A nine-year abandoned outpatient department (JPL) project was cancelled; instead, the MOH plans to build a new hospital. Preliminary work is being carried out by the Public Works Department to apply for full approval under Rolling Plan 3 of the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK-13).
Ranau Hospital received RM1.279 million in immediate funds to resolve critical issues, including triage facilities, the canteen, electrical transformer capacity, and medical equipment. Of this, RM950,000 is allocated to build a screening counter, repair the canteen, and upgrade the transformer for air-conditioning installation in three wards, while RM329,000 is set aside for essential equipment. The MOH also approved the procurement of four new ambulances.
Kota Belud Hospital received the largest allocation at RM2.01 million to improve and expand its Outpatient Unit, which serves between 260 and 270 patients daily. From this amount, RM1 million is for upgrading the outpatient building, RM510,000 for strengthening Dental Unit equipment, and RM500,000 for a new Mobile X-Ray machine to replace an 18-year-old asset.
“All that we have approved urgently comes from the Minister’s allocation, which I can disburse and approve directly for implementation. Everything will be handled by the Sabah State Health Department,” Dzulkefly explained.
For Ranau Hospital, the MOH is more inclined to upgrade the existing facility while conducting a feasibility study to assess the need for further improvements at the site.
Also present were MOH Secretary-General Datuk Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad and Sabah Ministry of Health and People’s Well-being Permanent Secretary Datuk Maria Chong.
Source: JAPEN
