The Health Ministry is to form a special committee to monitor repair works carried out on the Duchess Of Kent Hospital in Sandakan said its minister Liow Tiong Lai.

Liow said the special committee which would be headed by the ministry's deputy secretary-general Dr Maimunah Abdul Hamid, was formed to ensure repair and upgrading works carried out by the contractor, was completed within the allocated time period.

He said the contractor responsible had already been notified of defects to the building but they have yet to carry out any repairs.

"The contractor has been three months, until April 30, to complete the repair works and although they (contractor) have promised to carry out all the repair work, we formed the committee to make sure they carried out their promise," he told reporters.

Liow also announced a RM350,000 allocation to the hospital for the purchase of equipment, especially for eye treatment, including ultra-sound.

- Bernama