New contractors will be appointed to proceed with the six hospital construction projects following failure to complete them on schedule, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam.

He said the move was taken after his ministry identified that the selection of contractors was a major factor in causing all the affected hospital buildings to be unable to operate in the planned period.

"Apart from having insufficient capital, the lack of experience of contractors appointed previously is among the causes for them failing to complete their task, compelling the ministry to terminate their service immediately.

"As such the Cabinet decided to select contractors experienced in the construction of hospitals to 'treat' and proceed with the construction of these 'sick' hospital projects," he told reporters at the presentation of Deepavali gifts to 300 patients at Segamat Hospital here today.

He said these six hospitals included Cyberjaya, Bera in Pahang and Rembau in Negeri Sembilan which are expected to be fully ready by the new contractors in 2020.

In another development, Subramaniam urged the public, especially school students to stop the 'pass out challenge' game trend as it could harm their health besides causing death.

He said his ministry would work with the Education Department in addressing this increasingly 'contagious' culture among a handful of students in the country.

Meanwhile he said the construction of the RM3.5 million field hospital in Kutupalong Camp, Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh by the Malaysian government was one of its social responsibilities towards any nations that needed assistance based on humanitarian grounds.

-- BERNAMA