First university teaching hospital in Johor: RM900m USIM facility to be built in Sedili, says Khaled Nordin

The Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) plans to build a RM900 million teaching hospital in Sedili, Kota Tinggi, aimed at providing healthcare services and conducting medical research for rural residents. This marks the first university teaching hospital in Johor and will expand medical research facilities to the state, as revealed by Khaled Nordin, who served as Higher Education Minister and is now Defence Minister.

Nordin proposed the project during his tenure as Higher Education Minister, which has since been approved by the government. The construction is estimated to take three to four years, with the contractor already selected. The hospital will not only train doctors and medical specialists but also focus on research, as 70% of new knowledge discoveries occur in the health sector, Nordin explained at a press conference.

Currently, most teaching hospitals are concentrated in the Klang Valley, with research mainly focused on urban healthcare issues. By building this hospital in rural areas, specifically near Felda settlements and fishing communities, the project aims to understand and address community health challenges unique to these populations. The selection of Sedili as the site is expected to bring significant changes to the area's development and open up opportunities for comprehensive research involving rural communities.

Nordin expressed hope that the project's progress, including the approval of the construction plan, will be expedited so that the groundbreaking ceremony can take place as early as next year. This initiative aligns with the vision for appropriate development in the Sedili area.