General : Khaled: Construction Of RM900 Mln USIM HPU In Sedili Expected To Start Next Year

Construction of a RM900 million Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) Teaching Hospital in Sedili is set to commence next year, aimed at enhancing rural healthcare and medical research. Kota Tinggi MP Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who proposed the project while serving as higher education minister, announced the government's approval for the three to four-year project.

Khaled, now defence minister, revealed a contractor has been chosen and expressed optimism for expediting the process, including building plan approvals, to initiate preliminary work next year. The university hospital will play a crucial role in producing doctors, medical specialists, and conducting research, as 70% of new knowledge discoveries occur in the health sector.

Currently, most teaching hospitals are concentrated in the Klang Valley, with research focusing on urban health issues. Johor will be the first state to have a university teaching hospital, located outside the Klang Valley. Khaled highlighted that the hospital will be the first in Johor, expanding medical research facilities into the state.

If UM's hospital is in Kelantan, UKM's is in Pahang, and Malaysian Private University's is in Kuantan, there is currently no university hospital in Johor. Khaled emphasized that selecting Sedili for the project will stimulate local development while enabling comprehensive research into rural community health. Efforts are underway to expedite the necessary processes for the groundbreaking ceremony to be held as early as next year, further aligning with the development vision for the area.