By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Dec 28: The establishment of the Sarawak Medical Committee (SMC) reflects the significant progress made by the Sarawak government towards achieving health autonomy as part of its efforts under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) news report last night (Dec 27), Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian said that the SMC will collaborate with the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) with plans to host its next meeting in Sarawak.
“We have informed them that Sarawak will eventually establish its own medical council,” he said during the Society of Private Medical Practitioners Sarawak’s 50th Golden Anniversary Dinner last night.
Dr Sim also added that a Sarawak Private Health Institute Master Plan had been commissioned in partnership with the University of Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS).
He urged stakeholders to contribute their ideas and input to enhance this initiative, noting that pursuing health autonomy is a major step in the right direction, although it will take time to materialise fully.
“This is what we call health autonomy. It is a significant step—a roadmap that won’t happen overnight,” he added.
Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, and his wife, Datin Dayang Halimah Abang Paul; president of the Society of Private Medical Practitioners Sarawak, Dr Liew Shan Fap, and his wife, Yong Liew Mei; president of the Malaysian Medical Association, Dato Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira, and his wife, Datin Dr Babita Kaur; and chairman of the Malaysian Medical Association Sarawak, Dr Ong Eng-Joe and his wife, Dr Christine Lee, were also present at the event. — DayakDaily
