MYANMAR:
Politicians in Myanmar’s lower house called for a stop on Thursday (May
12) to the Parkway Yangon Hospital project.
The new
hospital, costing US$70 million, was to provide a 250-bed private medical
facility in downtown Yangon.
The
previous government had approved the project, saying it would improve the
healthcare standards and services to the Myanmar citizens, but the decision was
reversed by the Lower House.
The
project met with heavy criticism from some parliamentarians, medical
practitioners and citizens. They argued that the project is sitting on
government-owned public land, and it should therefore be a public facility.
As a
private hospital, some pointed out that many citizens would not be able to
afford the services provided. They also questioned the former government’s
decision-making process on private projects.
According
to an earlier press release by IHH Healthcare and Parkway Pantai, the hospital
is located at downtown Yangon on a 4.3-acre plot of land leased for 50 years at
prevailing market rate, with the option of two 10-year extensions.
The
hospital was to be developed and operated by a joint venture consortium
comprising Parkway Healthcare Indo-China (52 per cent), Singapore-incorporated
Macondray Holdings (10.5 per cent), Myanmar-incorporated AMMK Medicare Company
(21.5 per cent) and Global Star Company (16 per cent).
Parkway
Healthcare Indo-China is the wholly-owned subsidiary of IHH Healthcare, which
is the second-largest healthcare group by market capitalisation.
In
response to media queries, Dr Lee Hong Huei, Head of Southeast Asia at Parkway
Pantai, said they have not been approached by the Myanmar government on the
issue.
"The
build-operate-transfer agreement for the hospital project was formalised on Jan
29, 2016 and all contractual obligations to date have been fulfilled. Our
intent is to work effectively with the local medical fraternity to elevate
healthcare service standards through training, as well as knowledge and
technology transfers," said Dr Lee.
He added
that Parkway Pantai will await official notification from the Myanmar
government before reviewing its options.
-
CNA/kk/dl
May Wong
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