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Tunku Abdul Rahman

Institute for

Neurological Sciences

A FURTHER integral part of the new Kuala Lumpur General Hospital is the M$5 million Tunku Abdul Rahman Institute for Neurological Sciences now being erected under phase II of the hospital development programme.

It is due for completion in June next year on a construction programme of 15 months, work having started about four months ago.

Along with the existing Maternity and Radiotherapy Hospitals, the new General Hospital (now under construc- tion) and the Children's Hospital (due to be started next year), the institute forms an essential wing of a compre

hensive medical centre for the Federal Capital. It will act as the national centre for the diagonsis and treatment of patients suffering from psychiatric, neurosurgical and neurological dis- orders. It will also provide local training of Malaysian staff and will conduct research into ailments of the nervous system, some of which are unique in tropical countries.

Construction of the Institute is being financed by the Malaysian Gov- emment, while the equipment will come from the Neurosurgical Founda- tion of Malaysia.

The building will be a five-storey

reinforced concrete structure, on con-

crete raft foundations, with the lowest floor partially sunk into the ground. Total floor area will be about 143,000 sq. ft.

The lowest floor will house the X- ray department, the operating theatre suite, the theatre sterile supply unit, service areas, and space for future exten- tion of X-ray and laboratory facilities.

On the first floor will be the out- patient clinic, diagnostic laboratories, psychiatric day clinic, laboratories, con- sultants offices and auditorium. The building can be entered at either of the lower and first floor levels, though the main visitors' entrance is on the upper floor.

The second floor will contain the psychiatric wards with a total of 80 beds, the children's neurosurgical and neurology wards of 48 beds, and the intensive care unit with 12 beds.

The third floor will contain the male neurosurgical and neurological wards of 64 beds, the female neurosurgical and neurological wards of another 64 beds, and the physiotherapy gymnasium. The top floor will provide space for future laboratories.

Architects for the Institute, as for the complete hospital redevelopment, are Wells & Joyce, Kuala Lumpur and London.

Perspective of the Neurological Institute

Far East BUILDER, October 1970