PM CALLS FOR UPGRADE OF HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM

KUALA TERENGGANU (Malaysia), Jan 15 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad
Badawi on Thursday called for an upgrade of the hospital administrative system
to meet the needs of staff to enable them provide better service to the people.

The prime minister said this was most important especially at a time when
the government was raising the quality of the health service in the country.

"Hospital administrators must understand matters which are regarded as
important by doctors, medical officers and other staff. The administrators must
understand their needs and fulfill them.

"In this way, the medical officers and staff will be able to provide better
health service to the people," he said at the laying of the foundation stone for
the Maternity Specialist Complex and the Mental Health Psychiatry Complex of the
Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital, in this capital of Malaysian east coast state of
Terengganu.

The prime minister said the government placed high emphasis on the health
service because it was key to the well-being of the people, and especially so in
the development of human capital.

"A quality health service will ensure that our children at school and in
tertiary institutions are in good health.

"At the same time, it enables them to follow the lessons well and this helps
them elevate their academic performance," he said.

Abdullah emphasised that the health service provided by the government was
for all the people regardless of community, religion or standing.

Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai Liow, in his speech earlier, said both the
complexes incurred a cost of RM180 million -- RM115 million for the maternity
complex and RM65 million for the mental health psychiatry complex. (US$1=RM3.60)

Liow said the maternity specialist complex was expected to help raise the
live birth rate in the state.

"The birth rate at this hospital has also risen, from 18,104 in 2006 to
18,254 in 2007," he said.

Liow said that on the whole, the birth rate in government hospitals had
risen, from 91.4 per cent in 2006 to 92.9 per cent in 2007.

"This shows that the people are gaining more confidence and are receptive to
the government's call for them to seek treatment at government hospitals," he
said.

Liow said the maternity specialist complex was expected to help raise the
live birth rate in the state.

"The birth rate at this hospital has also risen, from 18,104 in 2006 to
18,254 in 2007," he said.

Liow said that on the whole, the birth rate in government hospitals had
risen, from 91.4 per cent in 2006 to 92.9 per cent in 2007.

"This shows that the people are gaining more confidence and are receptive to
the government's call for them to seek treatment at government hospitals," he
said.
-- BERNAMA