By Karen Bong
KUCHING, April 5: Healthcare workers are essential to public service and must be treated with respect, understanding, gratitude, and unwavering support, while the public must uphold trust in the healthcare system and refrain from making baseless accusations or politicising unfounded issues that could burden and demoralise these professionals.
Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng emphasised that both the public and political leaders must recognise the sacrifices made by healthcare workers.
His remarks came in response to a recent allegation that a lack of cardiology specialists on duty had led to a delay in the treatment of a patient at Sarawak Heart Centre during the Hari Raya holidays, a claim already refuted by the Sarawak Health Department as incorrect.
During his ShallWeeTalk live session, Wee called for greater empathy toward medical staff, noting that public hospitals operate under challenging conditions with limited resources.
He also dismissed claims of systemic negligence, explaining that hospitals follow strict protocols to prioritise urgent cases.
“Some have never set foot in a hospital, but as Mayor, I’ve visited many. I’ve seen their working conditions firsthand. We can’t judge based on assumptions. Hospital operations follow structured protocols—screening, prioritisation of urgent care, and procedures are all systematic.
“They (healthcare workers) may not be perfect, but they are doing their best,” he added, urging critics to verify facts before making damaging statements.
Wee emphasised that becoming a healthcare worker (HCW) is no easy task, a truth underscored during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“They risked their lives to protect us—they deserve our gratitude and support, not baseless blame,” he said.
Highlighting healthcare workers’ sacrifices, Wee reminded the public how medical staff risked their lives during Covid-19, with many contracting the virus while worrying about infecting their own families, and rushing back to hospitals at wee hours of the morning as part of their duty.
“Not one doctor or nurse quit despite the risks. ‘Healing with a parent’s heart’ is their creed, yet they still face criticism for their sacrifices. Their sacrifice shouldn’t be forgotten,” he said.
Wee also pointed out that while hospitals in Sarawak, including the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) and various clinics, may not be luxurious, healthcare workers choose to stay in Sarawak despite better opportunities abroad.
“They’re our society’s health guardians. At the very least, they deserve basic respect, understanding, and support. We can’t raise their salaries overnight, but we can acknowledge their efforts.
“If we don’t respect and protect our healthcare system, who will?” he asked.
Wee further addressed the constraints faced by healthcare workers, particularly civil servants, who are often unable to publicly defend themselves against online attacks.
“If attacked online, they must seek approval from higher authorities, such as the Ministry (of Health), before responding. They suffer in silence, unable to respond even when unfairly criticised,” he said.
Wee cautioned against undermining public trust in healthcare, stressing that reckless accusations could demoralise frontline workers. Instead, he called for constructive efforts to improve facilities, citing his own initiatives to secure sponsors for hospital upgrades.
He noted that Sarawak is facing a shortage of doctors and nurses, yet the healthcare sector is doing its best. This is especially important as Sarawak moves toward health autonomy and prepares for an ageing population by 2028, when healthcare will become increasingly critical.
“We must support healthcare professionals instead of criticizing them without merit,” Wee urged.
Reflecting on his own experiences, Wee emphasized the importance of accountability in leadership. He recalled an incident during the Movement Control Order (MCO) when he was fined for a minor breach after celebrating his birthday with a group of people. He accepted responsibility rather than shifting the blame.
“Another instance, my driver once parked improperly. I couldn’t shift the blame—‘Oh, it wasn’t me, it was the car.’ No. As the superior, you take responsibility for your team’s mistakes. Good leadership means owning up to mistakes, not stubborn denial,” he said.
“Let’s not tear down the very system that saves lives. If apologies are needed, give them. But above all, we must honour those who serve, not disparage them,” he stressed.
As Sarawak continues to strengthen its medical infrastructure, Wee’s call for respect and trust serves as a timely reminder of the sacrifices made by those on the frontlines. — DayakDaily
