This Content Is Only For Subscribers
by Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, July 28: Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian says the recent issue involving the large number of medical doctors who have refused to serve in Sarawak will be solved, after he spoke to Health Malaysia Director-General Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan.
Dr Sim lamented that he was saddened by the news, as there are doctors who want a permanent post in Sarawak but could not get them, while on the other hand, there are doctors given the opportunity but refuse to come.
“The Ministry of Health is looking into the issue because they are still people who are on the waiting list for permanent doctor posts,” he told reporters after launching the Spina Bifida Awareness Workshop 2023 held at Chemsains today.
Earlier, he was asked to comment on recent reports that over 200 permanent medical doctors had refused to serve in Sarawak.
He said that it was normal in the medical profession to heed the call wherever one is needed.
“If you are true to your profession, you should not have such prejudice and bias against Sarawak as there is much to offer in the State,” said Dr Sim.
Dr Sim, who is also Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, went on to explain the importance and reason why Sarawak should have its own autonomy when it comes to health matters under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the power to employ permanent doctors.
“Such an issue would not have arisen if we had our health autonomy under MA63 and under our purview,” he opined.
Dr Sim shared that Malaysia’s preparation in the doctor-to-population ratio in the last 60 years is doing well and in Peninsular Malaysia, it is much better in comparison to Sabah and Sarawak. — DayakDaily
