KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 11 -- The planned development of a Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) Hospital will serve as a healthcare hub that could ultimately help bolster the Bumiputera healthcare "value chain", the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) told Parliament's House of Representatives this morning.

Deputy Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang said building a dedicated MARA hospital will be part of efforts to empower the Bumiputera agenda and strengthen the country's healthcare sector "that must move in tandem with present-day needs".

"The establishment of a MARA hospital is seen as a bold step that adds value to the nation's healthcare landscape and economic development," she said during Question Time.

"From the perspective of socioecono...