Sabah to turn Likas Sports Complex into makeshift Covid-19 medical facility

By Olivia Miwil - April 20, 2020 @ 12:58pm

State Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said an allocation of RM2 million had been set aside for the medical facility from a RM200 million fund allocated for infrastructure development. – NSTP/File pic

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will see Likas Sports Complex here turned a makeshift healthcare facility to treat Covid-19 patients.

State Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said an allocation of RM2 million had been set aside for the medical facility from a RM200 million fund allocated for infrastructure development.

“There will be a modification on Likas Sports Complex at Kota Kinabalu here to become a branch for Queen Elizabeth hospital.

“It is to accommodate the placement and additional healthcare centre with the expectation of the increasing number of Covid-19 cases.

“On Wednesday, I will visit the complex to inspect and ensure the preparation of beds, basic facilities and nurses stations are ready for the relevant authorities to take necessary measures,” said Mohd Shafie, adding that the sports complex would have a capacity to cater to 172 patients.

Mohd Shafie who is also state Finance Minister, was speaking during the state Assembly Sitting here which he answered questions by Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam (Kundasang-PBS) and few other assemblymen who had similar queries on Sabah government's efforts on assisting those affected by the implementation of movement control order (MCO).

He also said that the development allocation, expected to fund about 1,000 projects, would also look into repairing the existing 39 gazetted quarantine centres and another 13 premises to be used for the same purposes.

As of yesterday, Sabah has recorded 306 Covid-19 cases with 172 recovered and discharged. Kota Kinabalu has 20 active cases.

On March 25, Sabah Government announced the Sabah Covid-19 assistance package worth RM670 million for all walks of life including frontliners, students, businessmen, those under vulnerable groups including single mothers, disabled people and senior citizens, among others.

On additional questions by Joachim and Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan (Tambunan-Star) on special assistance for affected highland vegetables farmers and Trus Madi mountain guide as well as moratorium on loans with state government agencies, Mohd Shafie said that their suggestions would be put under the considerations and reviewed.

“The State Agriculture (and Food industry) Ministry will help coordinate on the supply and distribution market for vegetables farmers while the Tourism Ministry will help list down those involved in the industry (to be benefited from the state assistance).

“We want to help the people but we do not want them to be overly-dependent on assistance from the state government.

“There will be loan facilities with zero interest for the people as we want to create a culture of competitiveness especially among the younger generations.”