The Negri Sembilan Chinese Maternity Association (NSCMA) has approved the expansion of the CMH Specialist Hospital, which will be carried out in two phases. NSCMA president Datuk Seri Lee Tian Hock said the first phase will involve the construction of a six-storey carpark block. “This RM10mil project commenced on March 1, 2025, and is expected to be completed by end-October. “It will provide an additional 310 parking bays to meet growing demand,” he said in a statement following the committee’s EGM. Of this, Lee said RM8mil is financed through a five-year bank loan. “I have personally provided a personal guarantee, while NSCMA and NSCMH Holdings Sdn Bhd jointly act as corporate guarantees. “Importantly, this arrangement does not involve any land or building as collateral, in line with NSCMA’s constitution.” Additionally, Lee said the second phase will involve the construction of a 10-storey medical block and basement carpark. “This will be the most ambitious development in our hospital’s history – a landmark project (to begin) in March next year. “The total cost of the entire redevelopment project is estimated at RM120mil.” Lee said this marks a significant milestone in the expansion of the hospital’s capacity and the upgrading of its medical facilities. Key features of the new medical block include 100 additional inpatient beds, bringing total capacity from 66 to 166 inpatient beds. Lee also said there will be an expansion of specialist clinics from 16 to 45, greatly enhancing service coverage. “To fund this phase, we will launch a fundraising exercise via issuance of new ordinary shares, targeting RM45mil – representing approximately 31% of NSCMH Holdings’ equity.” Lee anticipates groundbreaking of the medical block to begin in March 2026 and estimates building completion in June 2029, with full operations expected by January 2030. Separately, Lee said the healthcare industry is evolving rapidly. “Technological innovation, intense competition, and increasing patient expectations have reshaped the industry. “In this challenging environment, one thing is clear – only by embracing change and innovation to ensure sustainable growth,” he said. Conversely, “stagnation and complacency will inevitably lead to obsolescence,” Lee added.