On 25 Sep 2007,
Health Ministry unveils S$2b
infrastructure masterplan
SINGAPORE: Singapore's medical landscape is set to be transformed
by 2015 with a S$2 billion infrastructure masterplan.
Under the masterplan will be new facilities, including a new
general hospital in Jurong and a centre to manage addiction
problems.
.
.
Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said: "When we underestimate demand,
the result is overcrowding at hospitals, as we now experience at
Tan Tock Seng Hospital. If we over-estimate demand and over-supply,
we end up with under-utilised assets - a costly outcome.
"Between over-supply and under-supply, I would prefer to slightly
under-supply than to over-supply as this will put pressure on
ourselves to intensify usage and minimise over-consumption."
And on that basis, the Ministry revealed details of its
masterplan.
The new Khoo Teck Puat hospital in Yishun will open in 2010 and
more general hospitals are planned, including one in Jurong which
will open before 2015.
But today (6 days later):
Hospital in Jurong on
hold
Tenders called now will mean higher building costs:
Khaw
THE hospital in Yishun will come up as planned in three years, but
the Government will take its time to build the one in Jurong.
Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan, speaking at a community event in
Yishun yesterday, said rising construction costs in recent months
would swell building costs of Yishun's Khoo Teck Puat Hospital by
10 to 20 per cent.
He told reporters that in hindsight, he should have started work on
the hospital two or even three years earlier.
But since the Government had committed itself to opening that
hospital by 2010, it would make good on its promise, he
added.
'But it does mean that for Jurong hospital, the western hospital
which I am planning, I will take my time,' he said.
There was no point heading into the whole construction frenzy when
the tender price is too high, otherwise 'the high cost will
eventually be borne by everybody, by society, by the Government and
by patients', he said. [quote]
Even for someone who 'forgets' his promises and deadlines so
often, this must be a new record!!
6 days ago.... $2 billion dollars, 6 day later... suddenly no
money. Next time he says "slightly under-supply", you know what he
means!!
Build F1 racing track in 1 year for FT, no problem!! Plenty of
money.
Build hospital for Singaporeans, 4 years haven't even start.
