PETALING JAYA, June 1 — Petaling Jaya residents have welcomed plans for a new public hospital in the city, but urged the authorities to learn from past shortcomings experienced at other public health facilities, particularly involving parking, accessibility, and operational efficiency.
Pipeline engineer Adam Harith Zainal Abidin, 25, said a new government hospital would improve healthcare access for residents who currently have to seek treatment elsewhere.
"Petaling Jaya is continuing to develop, and the population is growing. Having a public hospital here is a good idea because residents will have a nearby place to seek treatment, whether for critical or non-critical health issues," he told Media Selangor.
However, Adam emphasised that planners should address issues commonly faced at existing hospitals, especially parking shortages and delays in patient management.
Emergency services should be designed to operate more efficiently, while sufficient parking should be incorporated into the development to ensure visitors and patients can access the facility comfortably.
He also supported proposals for a vertical hospital, noting that land in Petaling Jaya is limited and densely built up.
"If a vertical hospital is built, the design team must make full use of the available land and ensure adequate parking and smooth access for everyone," Adam said.
On May 27, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said a six-hectare site in Taman Medan, currently home to the X Park PJ South sports complex, has been identified as the proposed location for the new Petaling Jaya Hospital.
On the same day, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said the new 500-bed hospital, which will be developed using a vertical concept, perfectly aligns with the needs of local residents in terms of accessibility, capacity, land cost, and proximity to surrounding communities.
Consider population growth
Meanwhile, Malaysian Investment Development Authority director Derrick Tanggapan, 41, described the proposal as timely amid rising healthcare costs and continued population growth in Petaling Jaya and the Klang Valley.
"I think this is the right time to build a public hospital in Petaling Jaya. Medical costs are increasing, and the population is growing, so residents need better access to healthcare services.
"Residents should not have to travel to other districts for routine medical treatment and consultations," he said.
Derrick also suggested that the hospital focus on providing comprehensive general healthcare services to treat common illnesses and meet the community's everyday needs.
The authorities should learn from other hospitals that faced parking shortages and plan for future population growth over the next five to 10 years.
"Family members, patients and healthcare workers all need parking. The government should ensure there is sufficient capacity from the beginning instead of facing shortages later,” he said.
Derrick also backed the idea of a vertical hospital, noting that land prices in Petaling Jaya are high and that a high-rise design would accommodate more patients while making efficient use of available space.
Similarly, bookstore caretaker Izzaty Natasya, 28, said the hospital would particularly benefit senior citizens, disabled persons, and residents who require frequent medical attention.
"Healthcare services located closer to home would be more convenient for many families,” she said.
Izzaty also raised concerns about accessibility and parking, as congestion is already common around existing healthcare facilities in the area.
"If the hospital is built, parking must be increased. It is already difficult to find parking near clinics and healthcare facilities here, especially for patients with mobility challenges and wheelchair users,” she said.
Build more clinics
Rather than building a hospital, administrator Rahimah Saitan, 53, said that the government should consider expanding the number of health clinics in the area, since many residents currently depend on limited primary healthcare services.
She questioned whether a proposed 500-bed hospital would be sufficient to meet demand in a densely populated area such as Petaling Jaya.
Rahimah also mentioned concerns over parking and traffic congestion, as these issues could worsen if proper planning is not undertaken.
"Parking is very important. The area is already congested during peak hours, and a new hospital could add to the traffic situation if it is not properly managed," she said.
While Rahimah acknowledged that healthcare planners are best placed to determine long-term needs, she maintained that expanding health clinics would better serve local communities.
