By Emily Ruran
KOTA SAMARAHAN, Sept 30: The Ministry of Health (MOH) has identified 11,000 new posts required to meet staffing needs at just seven hospitals in Sarawak.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the figure was revealed after MOH’s human resources team visited Sarawak in July.
The assessment covered Sarawak General Hospital (SGH), Sarawak Heart Centre, and Sibu, Miri, Bintulu, Kapit, and Serian hospitals.
“They finally realised the extent of the shortage after coming down in July. Without seeing for themselves, they would not understand.
“I am happy they came, because if they only sit in Kuala Lumpur, they don’t see the real situation here,” he said.
He told the media this during the handing over of the echocardiography ultrasound system, ECG machines, vital signs monitors, and defibrillators by the Sarawak Heart Foundation at the Sarawak Heart Centre here today.
On the same note, Dr Sim, who is the Sarawak Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, said the State still have over 1,100 medical officers (MO) vacancies.
He pointed out that SGH was supposed to have 409 MOs but only 380 are in service. MOH later found the hospital actually needed 360 more.
“This is not us setting the number, it is MOH itself confirming how serious the shortage is,” he stressed.
On Oct 1, he said 650 new medical officer (MO) posts are being offered for Sarawak, but it remains uncertain how many will report for duty.
“On paper it looks good, but until the first of October, we don’t know how many will actually turn up,” he said.
Dr Sim noted that Malaysian doctors were being recruited overseas, with Singapore, Australia and the United Kingdom offering higher pay.
He urged the MoH to take concrete steps to address the shortage and improve working conditions or risk more doctors leaving Sarawak for better opportunities abroad.
“Our medical standards are high, and that is why our professionals are wanted worldwide. But this also leaves us short at home.
“We need to show our appreciation. Even small gestures make them feel valued. Rather than creating frustration, we must be positive,” he added. — DayakDaily
