KPJ to build specialist centre in Iskandar

JOHOR BARU: A new specialist hospital on a 500,000 sq ft of land will be built in Bandar Dato' Onn in the Iskandar Malaysia development region in Johor Baru.

Specialist hospital operator KPJ Healthcare Bhd will collaborate with Johor Land Bhd to build the modern hospital.

The project will be undertaken in two phases, KPJ chairman Kamaruzzaman Abu Kassim said yesterday.

The hospital will have the capacity of 400 beds, encompassing 280,000 sq ft. The first phase of the construction with 150 beds, is expected to start by the end of 2012.

Its total invesment has yet to be determined, but an average of RM1,000 is budgeted for a bed.

"Approval for zoning has been obtained from the Health Ministry and the details are being finalised," Kamaruzzaman said.

Kamaruzzaman, who is also Johor Corp chief executive and president, said the new hospital will house a "Centres of Excellence" featuring a heart centre, a geriatric centre, cancer centre and a cosmetic and reconstructive centre, among others.

"It will serve as a one-stop centre for all medical services of the highest standards to cater to both local and foreign patients to promote health tourism," he told a press conference yesterday.

At the same time, the group is currently developing new specialist hospitals in Bandar Baru Klang, Muar, Pasir Gudang and Kuantan.

KPJ is investing between RM50 million and RM80 million for each hospital.

It recently completed a deal to buy Sibu Specialist Medical Centre and Sibu Geriatric Health and Nursing Centre in Sarawak at RM28 million on April 6.

Kamaruzzaman expected the new project in Bandar Dato' Onn to further sustain its consistent financial growth in the coming years.

For the year ended December 31 last year, KPJ posted a total revenue of RM1.65 billion, up 13 per cent, compared with RM1.46 billion previously.

Group pre-tax profit improved16 per cent from RM143.89 million to RM166.69 million.

On another note, KPJ is venturing into the retirement and aged care market following its agreement to buy 51 per cent interest in Australian operator Jeta Gardens Waterford Trust for RM19 million.

The deal is expected to be completed by September this year.

"There is a huge market for retirement and aged care. We are in the midst of studying the business and is planning to build several retirement villas around the country," Kamaruzzaman said.