KULIM, Feb 9- The Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH) approved an allocation of RM26.1 million to repair and upgrade 41 poor health clinics in Kedah this year.

Its Deputy Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said the amount has more than doubled compared to RM13.1 million involving 42 upgrade projects as well as demolition and new construction last year.

All the poor clinic upgrading projects in the state - approved last year - were successfully completed on schedule.

This is part of the 300 projects that have been approved in Budget 2025 and is part of the health transformation drive being carried out by the MOH throughout the country.

"We are not able to upgrade all clinics but the focus is on rural clinics as well as clinic rooms that need upgrading in order to provide better services.

"This is what the Malaysia MADANI government wants by offering a transformation so that it can be experienced or solve the discomfort faced by our clients," he said.

He was speaking to reporters after officiating the Karnival Kedah Sihat 2025 in conjunction with the inauguration of the Kulim Wellness Hub and the handover of keys to the North Zone Medical Records Center at the Kulim Wellness Hub grounds, here.

Kulim Wellness Hub is the 3rd Wellness Hub in Kedah and the 31st in Malaysia.

In the meantime, the MOH also plans to create nine more new Wellness Hub services across the country this year.

Among them are Sabah's Putatan and Sandakan; Sarawak (Sibuti); Selangor (Kuala Selangor and Hulu Langat); Perak (Muallim); Penang (North East); Melaka (Alai) and Johor (Muar).

The MOH aims to have at least one Wellness Hub in every district in the country by 2030.

Wellness Hub offers services such as assessment of health risk factors, healthy lifestyle consultation, fitness screening, weight management, stop-smoking services, healthy info gallery and a mini gym.