By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Dec 21: Deputy Premier of Sarawak Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian hopes that the federal government will approve the allocation for Sarawak to build a cancer centre by next year.
It was previously reported that the proposed centre will be built in the vicinity of the Sarawak Heart Centre in Kota Samarahan.
“Hopefully by next year, we will get the federal government to agree for Sarawak to build a cancer hospital,” he said when officiating at the Malaysian Institute of Chemistry (IKM) Sarawak Branch’s Chemistry Night 2022 programme held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here last night.
Dr Sim who is the Sarawak Minister for Public Health, Local Government and Housing further said with Sarawak heading towards a new economy which revolves around technology, green energy, hydrogen and others, it would require a skilled workforce such as engineers and scientists.
“We need biochemists; not just petrochemists. And all these chemistries (sic) are very important but how can we get the young children interested? Not to mention, these are all high-paying jobs,” he added.
The proposal to set up the cancer centre was first raised by Dr Sim in 2016 when he was the then Minister of Local Government and Housing.
Fast forward to 2022, Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg during a function on Dec 4, said that the proposed centre is a collaboration between the federal Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Sarawak government.
He revealed that the State will build the physical premises for the cancer centre first and then the MoH will lease it from the State as well as supply the medical workforce and specialists needed to operate the centre. — DayakDaily
