Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said it was hoped the project involving an allocation of RM8.6 million would complement the existing Burns Unit at the Sarawak General Hospital in Kuching.
“The unit which is currently under construction was agreed upon after Bintulu became an oil and gas hub in the state,” he told reporters after opening a national-level seminar on burns treatment at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) here Monday.
A total of 270 participants comprising medical practitioners, doctors, medical college teaching staff are attending the two-day seminar.
Noor Hisham said last year, there were 3,717 burn cases at state hospitals nationwide, an increase of 1,021 from 2,696 in 2012.
“This shows there is a need for us to have more burn units in line with increase in the number of burn patients. It is also to handle burn cases more efficiently and reduce the rate of mortality,” he said.
— BERNAMA
