By Doreen Ling
KUCHING, Aug 1: Although artificial intelligence (AI) enables medical practitioners to address geographic and structural challenges posed by Sarawak’s vastness, healthcare is, and must always remain, about people, as technology should never replace human compassion.
According to Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, AI must serve as an amplifier for healthcare workers— taking away routine administrative burdens, enhancing diagnostic precision, and giving doctors and nurses more time to care for human beings.
“AI enables us to detect illnesses earlier through automated imaging and predictive analytics, while empowering our clinicians with data-driven decision support systems. Through the Internet of Medical Things and smart telehealth setups, we can monitor patients in remote villages without forcing them to undertake gruelling travel.
“AI allows us to optimise emergency response times across vast distances, strengthen eldercare and stroke response, and bring specialised medical expertise directly into our community clinics,” he said at the opening ceremony of the ‘AI & Modern Healthcare Conference 2026 held at a hotel here today.
Dr Sim, who is also the Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government, said that the conference was timely as it provides a responsible framework to discuss not only what technology can do, but how it should be deployed ethically, safely, and compassionately.
“Healthcare is evolving at an unprecedented pace. Globally, we face complex and intersecting challenges, from ageing populations and rising chronic conditions to increasing demands on our hospital infrastructure.
“Communities everywhere expect faster, safer, and more accessible care. In this light, the theme of this conference—’Transforming Sarawak into a Premier Hub for Biotechnology and AI Healthcare Innovation’—is both ambitious and necessary,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said that Sarawak holds distinct advantages that position it to become a hub for modern healthcare and bio-innovation.
“First, we possess unrivalled biodiversity. Our rainforests are living laboratories, and through initiatives like the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre, we are integrating traditional knowledge with AI-driven drug discovery and biotechnology.
“Second, we are building robust digital infrastructure by aggressively expanding connectivity through projects like SMART600 and ongoing 5G rollouts to connect every rural clinic across Sarawak.
“Third, we have dedicated talent and strategic political will. From our world-class medical personnel to our State commitment offering free higher education for Sarawakians in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and tech fields starting this year, we are actively preparing the workforce of the future,” he said. — DayakDaily
