KUALA LUMPUR: The government will look into the need to upgrade the third-class ward of Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL), says the Prime Minister.

       Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad would bring the matter up to the attention of the Cabinet.

       “We have seen for ourselves how the third-class ward is a bit stuffy and crowded.

       “The minister (Dzulkefly) will raise the matter with the Cabinet so that we can expedite what is necessary.

       “Of course, the minister and the director (of HKL) also have to attend to other urgent problems that the ministry and government focuses on to ensure that infrastructure facilities are good,” he told reporters after visiting patients at HKL’s third-class ward here yesterday.

       Also present were the Prime Minister’s wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Dzulkefly and HKL director Datin Paduka Dr Rohana Johan, Bernama reported.

       Anwar said he had been calling for a comprehensive study to also cover the procurement of medicines so that it would be cost effective.

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       He added that because of the quantity of medicines used at HKL, there needs to be a greater focus on ensuring there is no wastage.

       Anwar said the government also had to look into clinics in Kapit, Sarawak, and Manek Urai, Kelantan.

       “So that this is seen as a whole by the ministry and when we make a decision, we know the Education and Health ministries get the largest national allocation,” he added.