KUCHING, Dec 10: No baby in a country with supposed universal healthcare coverage should die in their mother’s arms on the way to the hospital for treatment, says Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii.
He said this referring to two recent cases in Sarawak allegedly due to lack of access to healthcare services in their respective areas.
One case involved a three-month-old baby girl believed to have passed in her mother’s arms while travelling on a bus from Kuching to Sarikei for treatment.
The other case involved an elderly woman from Lawas who died before the ambulance that was supposed to send her to the hospital could pass the Sungai Tujoh Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) Complex.
“It is saddening that in this day and age, we still hear of such cases where there are people, especially in the rural areas, deprived of their right to quality healthcare.
“This is a clear symptom of long-term under-investment and neglect in our healthcare services, especially in rural areas,” said Dr Yii in a statement today.
He believed that the two most recent cases must be investigated and looked into with transparency.
Dr Yii also urged the newly-minted health minister and deputy minister to identify the root cause of issues and allocate necessary resources to better equip healthcare facilities in rural areas. — DayakDaily
