{
  "id": 18069121,
  "title": "Penang Hospital to complete new blocks in 2027 and 2029 to tackle overcrowding",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/penang-hospital-to-complete-new-blocks-in-2027-and-2029-to-tackle",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-04T05:08:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/11/04/penang-hospital-to-complete-new-blocks-in-2027-and-2029-to-tackle-overcrowding/241935"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Two new blocks are set to be completed at Penang Hospital in 2027 and 2029, aimed at alleviating congestion in the Emergency and Trauma Department, according to Malay Mail. The women’s and children’s block is scheduled for completion in 2027, while the specialist clinics and wards block will follow in 2029. These projects are part of a long-term plan to address the issue of overcrowding, which is attributed to a shortage of ward beds. The Health Ministry is also implementing measures under its patient flow management guidelines, including diverting non-emergency patients through stronger primary healthcare services and better screening at entry points. The state Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman, Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, noted that the ministry has strengthened the Bed Management Unit, introduced the Open Bed Policy, and expanded the use of multidisciplinary wards to ensure patients can be placed in any available bed. The discharge and post-treatment processes have also been streamlined through a Discharge Lounge, with a target of freeing up beds before noon to accommodate new patients.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}