By Christopher Lidom
KUCHING, Jan 16: Healthcare issues in Sarawak will be addressed through inter-ministerial discussions, said Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa.
Dr Zaliha said she was briefed by the Sarawak Health Department director, Dr Ooi Choo Huck, earlier today about several matters, including clinics that are in poor condition, budget deficiency, communication, network issues in rural areas, flying doctors (doctors who travel by aircraft to visit patients living in isolated areas), extended working hours for clinics, and many others.
“The Health Ministry is aware of the problems with healthcare in Sarawak, and we are discussing these issues with the relevant departments and ministries,” she said during the Sarawak Heart Centre’s 20th Anniversary Dinner streamed live by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) on Facebook earlier tonight.
At the same, Dr Zaliha also praised Sarawak Heart Centre for its success in transforming a facility and expanding the network of treatment and services to treat heart disease, kidney problems, and cancer.
“I applaud this kind of effort in ensuring the rakyat (people) get the best service delivery in receiving healthcare,” she said.
Meanwhile, Dr Zaliha expressed concern regarding the increase in the number of patients receiving treatment at Sarawak Heart Centre year after year.
She added it shows that efforts to ensure that people care about their health and that wellness and preventive medicine are a lifestyle are not being practised.
Amongst those present were Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and his wife, Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang; Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Health, Housing, and Local Government Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian and wife, Datin Sri Enn Ong; Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki and wife, Datin Amar Baduyah Bujang; and Ministry of Health (MOH) director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah. — DayakDaily
