THE recent announcement by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam that the government would spend more than RM900 million to upgrade Hospital Kuala Lumpur -- Southeast Asia's biggest and Malaysia's oldest hospital -- is indeed welcomed.

He said there would be extensive renovations, with several new facilities, including the much-awaited multi-storey car park and a new health centre for women and children.

It is heartening to note that the government is giving due consideration and priority to upgrade public health facilities in the country. The acute lack of parking space and the myriad of problems associated with this have been a major concern of the public.

With the completion of the car park and facilities, the public can be assured of a much pleasant and hassle-free visit to the hospital.

Having said that, I wish to draw the health minister's attention to another oldest and world-renowned health institution -- the Institute for Medical Research (IMR) in Jalan Pahang, Kuala Lumpur.

IMR was established in 1900 by Sir Frank Swettenham, the resident-general of the Federated Malay States, to carry out scientific and sustained researches into the cause, treatment and prevention of scourges such as beri-beri and other debilitating infectious diseases.

IMR is still the leading biomedical research institution in the country although there are several new research institutions.

It is the World Health Organisation's Collaborating Centre for Ecology, Taxonomy and Control of Vectors of Malaria, Filariasis and Dengue as well as the Regional Centre for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases and Nutrition.

The Seameo-Tropmed Regional Centre for Microbiology, Parasitology and Entomology and the Introm-Inter-Islamic Network on Tropical Medicine are also based in IMR.

Over the years, IMR has spearheaded several breakthrough researches in tropical medicine and biomedical sciences.

At the 24th International Invention and Technology Exhibition 2013, IMR won four gold medals. The winning projects were My fungi gene chip (Dr Fairuz Amran of the bacteriology unit); Diagnostic technique for the rapid detection of tuberculosis (Dr Rahizan Issa of the bacteriology unit); Detection of prognostic biomarkers of severe dengue (Dr Ravindran Thayan of the virology unit); and Improving the quality of crime scene investigation using an IMR-developed forensic entomology kit (Dr Nazni Wasi Ahmad of the medical entomology unit).

Two years ago, a fire gutted one of the wings of the main building of IMR, destroying several laboratory units. Losses had been estimated to run into several millions of ringgit.

The cause of the fire is not known, but it is suspected to be caused by an electrical short-circuit and a malfunctioning fire alarm system.

I appeal to the minister to look into the delay in repairing the damaged wing.

It has been more than 21/2 years and the staff have been patiently waiting for the repair works to start. I don't know how long it would take for the repairs to begin.

Most of the staff have moved out while others have taken up whatever space is available within the IMR premises.

Some of the laboratory units are crammed with staff and equipment, and the risk of accidents has multiplied.

Despite the inconvenience, the staff have given and, are giving, their best. This situation should not be allowed to continue as it may demoralise the staff.

source:NST