By Marlynda Meraw
KUCHING, Dec 3: Sarawak’s healthcare is grappling with personnel shortage, with 5,106 approved positions across various categories yet to be filled.
Addressing the critical issue of human capital in the health sector, Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government (MPHLG) Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian highlighted the shortfall includes 930 vacant posts for doctors and a staggering 2,300 vacancies for nurses.
“Currently, Sarawak has a total of 27,255 government healthcare personnel, including 1,838 serving on a contract basis, out of the 30,523 approved positions,” he told the august House during the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting today.
Dr Sim who is also Batu Kawah assemblyman addressed the disparity in manpower planning, referencing a point raised by Nangka assemblyman Datuk Dr Annuar Rapa’ee who previously highlighted that Sarawak is short of 1,871 doctors compared to the national doctor-to-population ratio.
“Are West Malaysians so sick that they need so many doctors, or Sarawakians are so healthy that we need fewer doctors?” he questioned.
Despite the shortage, Dr Sim acknowledged the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Health (MOH) in reviewing manpower needs in seven out of Sarawak’s 23 existing hospitals.
The findings from this review have highlighted the ongoing commitment to strengthening the local healthcare system, indicating a need for an additional 11,127 posts across various categories, which includes 1,567 new doctor posts and 4,881 new nurses posts.
Meanwhile, Dr Sim confirmed that for the year 2025, the Sarawak Health Department, an agency under MOH has received RM2.96 billion in operating funds and RM505.3 million in development funds.
“These funds are allocated for operational expenses, human capital development, minor upgrading as well as repair on health facilities as well as for hospital and clinic support services including procurement of medical equipment,” he said. — DayakDaily
