The Penang Hospital (HPP) has become the first government hospital to offer free buggy service for patients from the car park bays to various areas of the hospital.

The first buggy car was contributed by the hospital’s very own board of visitors.

HPP director, Dr Yasmin Sulaiman, said with the buggy service made available, the issue concerning shortage of parking spaces would be tackled.

“The buggy service is very much for the needy and those with walking disabilities.

“I hope it can also reduce the number of complaints concerning the shortage of parking spaces at the hospital,” she told reporters after receiving the buggy car in Geroge Town today.

Dr Yasmin said a special buggy track from the car park bays to various areas of the hospital would also be provided to prevent traffic traffic issues.  

Meanwhile, HPP board of visitors chairperson Lim Thoon Deong said they were planning to donate two more buggy cars to the hospital if the service received an encouraging response from the patients and the public.

He said each buggy car costs about RM42,000.

“This is a joint-venture project between the HPP board of visitors and Faber Medi-Serve Sdn Bhd, which is also responsible for providing drivers and maintenance of the cars,” he added.

- Bernama