He was responding to Heng Lee Lee (PH-Berapit), who called for the hospital’s urgent expansion, saying it was outdated and unable to cope with growing patient load.

“The state health department is now in the final phase of preparing an application to acquire land, which will first be submitted to the health ministry to push this matter forward,” Daniel told the state legislative assembly.

Daniel said he would personally ensure the project gets all the attention as it falls within his constituency.

Heng yesterday described the hospital as “bursting at its seams,” with emergency visits averaging 210 to 240 patients daily and an intensive care unit with just seven beds that is always full.

Daniel today agreed that the hospital, built in 1891, is no longer sufficient to serve the population of Bukit Mertajam and its surrounding areas.

He said the Kepala Batas Hospital would also be expanded, with the state health department sending plans for consideration.

He said the department was prioritising a proposal for a multi-storey block as part of the hospital’s expansion and would submit it for consideration under the 13th Malaysia Plan’s First Rolling Plan.

Yesterday, the state assembly heard that Penang has only one public hospital bed per 1,000 people, compared to the recommended ratio of two beds under the 12th Malaysia Plan.

Gooi Hsiao Leung (PH-Bukit Tengah) said with only six hospitals serving 1.78 million people, the state has the second-lowest number of public hospital beds in the country, only slightly ahead of Selangor.

Citing data from Penang Institute, he also pointed out the doctor-to-population ratio in Penang is one doctor for 684 people, far below the national target of one doctor for every 400 people.