By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, March 1: Patients in Bintulu previously had to endure a seven-hour drive to Kuching for specialised heart treatment at Sarawak Heart Centre, whereas in West Malaysia, heart centres are typically accessible within two hours.
Sarawak’s Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, highlighted such a scenario as among the challenges faced by Sarawakians prior to the establishment of Bintulu Heart Centre.
He noted that the Ministry of Health (MOH) had initially hesitated to greenlight the project, citing concerns that other states would make similar demands.
“I told MOH that for Bintulu, driving to Kuching takes seven hours [to seek treatment at Sarawak Heart Centre] while in West Malaysia, anywhere you drive, within two hours you have a heart centre. Why can’t we get the same standard as West Malaysia’s?
“In this context, even small things like this—when you try to facilitate—are being slowed down deliberately,” he said when speaking during Kuching Division Journalists Association (KDJA) 2025 Chinese New Year Media Night held at Theatre Hotel last night (Feb 28).
Nevertheless, after overcoming numerous bureaucratic hurdles, the Bintulu Heart Centre was finally approved and is now operational.
Dr Sim acknowledged the efforts of the Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and the Ministry’s Secretary-General (KSU) in ensuring its establishment, emphasising that despite its non-ideal setup, the centre had already treated 11 patients within two days of its launch—preventing them from making the arduous journey to Kuching.
At the same time, Dr Sim revealed that 70 per cent of hospitals in Sarawak remain in a dilapidated state, a stark contrast to West Malaysia, where the percentage is significantly lower. – DayakDaily
