By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, May 27: A total of 76 per cent, or 206 out of 271 government health clinics across Sarawak, are in poor physical condition, and RM17.26 billion is needed to improve health facilities throughout the State, said Deputy Premier and Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.
Delivering his ministerial winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) here today, Dr Sim said the amount includes an estimated RM9.25 billion for the upgrading and redevelopment of hospital facilities, and RM8.01 billion for health clinics.
He said the RM3.1 billion cost projection to redevelop the dilapidated clinics was made in 2023 by the Sarawak Health Department.
“To date, 76 per cent or 206 out of 271 health clinics throughout Sarawak are in poor physical condition,” he said, emphasising the urgent need for improvement to ensure quality healthcare for all Sarawakians.
Dr Sim also updated that the Petra Jaya Hospital has reached 87.97 per cent physical completion, while the new Lawas Hospital stands at 91.12 per cent.
Meanwhile, Klinik Kesihatan (KK) Serian Type 3 began operations on April 7 this year, followed by KK Siburan Type 3 on April 21.
He said the federal government has allocated an additional RM50 million for six projects involving dilapidated health facilities, with tenders for four of them to be called soon after the design phase is completed by JKR Sarawak.
Under the Rintis initiative, two new clinics — KK Nanga Atoi and KK Nanga Ngungun — have been approved with an estimated combined cost of RM12.8 million.
KK Nanga Atoi is under construction and expected to complete by the end of 2025, while KK Nanga Ngungun is currently undergoing tender evaluation.
“For the year 2025, the federal Ministry of Health has also allocated RM48.8 million for upgrading, renovation, and repair of health clinics in Sarawak.
“Of these, RM40 million is under the Bitara Madani initiative budget and RM7.5 million under the BP201 budget is for rural clinic services.
“A total of RM1.3 million under BP09 is allocated for upgrading and repair works for quarters,” Dr Sim added.
On the expansion of cardiology services throughout Sarawak via RMK-12 RP5, Dr Sim said the federal Ministry of Health has approved RM 14.5 million each to set up Invasive Cardiac Laboratory (ICL) at Miri and Sibu Hospital.
“Apart from that, RM12.5 million was approved to replace the existing ICL at Sarawak Heart Centre,” he said. — DayakDaily
