KUCHING, March 24: Senator Robert Lau is urging the federal government to increase funding to upgrade Sibu Hospital, highlighting the facility’s poor condition since it opened in 1994.
During his debate on the King’s address in the Senate yesterday, he revealed the radiology department’s ultrasound machine was beyond repair.
“The waiting time for an ultrasound to be carried out is six months,” he said.
He also claimed that last year, the hospital’s management was verbally informed that a new one had been approved but approval was subsequently cancelled due to the Sarawak Heart Foundation’s fundraising efforts to purchase a unit.
“Can the ministry confirm that this is true? If it is, is it a policy of the ministry to cancel funding or projects for hospitals when it receives donations from the public for that purpose?” he asked.
Additionally, Lau stated that the waiting period for cataract procedures is five months.
“In the orthopaedic department, the last time a new piece of equipment was received was in 2009, and that was the third time since the hospital opened. In the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, there are no laparoscopic sets.
“The delivery room in the hospital is not made of rooms but cubicles. Not only there is no privacy there is no attached toilet,” he pointed out.
He urged the government to boost investment in the healthcare system by modernising infrastructure and human resources.
Lau asserted it is past time for the Health Ministry to delegate and devolve decision-making and budgetary powers to Sarawak, Sabah, and Peninsular Malaysia, as permitted by Federal Constitution Article 80 (4), (5), and (6).
“Let the three regions manage their own healthcare systems. This should form one of the key thrusts in the Blue Print,” he added. — DayakDaily
