By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Sept 5: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has announced that the Sarawak government has approved RM10 million to establish a digital hospital link system that will streamline patient records across the State’s medical facilities.
According to Abang Johari, this technological advancement will allow for seamless access to patient information between hospitals, improving the efficiency of healthcare services and reducing errors in record-keeping.
“With this digital application, patient records from the general hospital in Kuching can be accessed in other hospitals such as those in Bintulu and Sibu.
“This will ensure that medical professionals can make informed decisions without the need for manual transfers or potential record discrepancies,” he said during his speech at the ‘State Banquet in conjunction with the 64th National Annual General Meeting – Malaysian Medical Association (MMA)’ held tonight at a local hotel here.
The event was broadcast live via the Sarawak Public Communication Unit’s (Ukas) Facebook page.
The Premier also emphasised that this system would significantly reduce the reliance on outdated methods like phone communication or manual record handling, which can sometimes lead to medication errors.
The approval of this RM10 million allocation came after discussions with Sarawak Deputy Premier and Sarawak Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government (MPHLG), Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.
In addition to the hospital link technology, Abang Johari highlighted the ongoing efforts by the Sarawak government to support the State’s healthcare system.
This includes the establishment of a cancer centre in Sarawak to reduce the financial burden on families who currently need to travel to West Malaysia for treatment.
“Bureaucratic hurdles remain one of the biggest challenges for Sarawak in advancing its healthcare sector for the benefit of its people,” the Premier said, adding that these issues were evident when the state proposed the establishment of a cancer centre, although the matter has since been resolved.
He mentioned that Sarawak had informed Putrajaya about the need for such a facility, but various delays hindered its implementation.
“I told Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that Sarawak would use its own funds first to build the cancer centre, and later, the federal government would reimburse the cost.
“He agreed to this formula, and now we will proceed with the construction of the cancer centre.
“For the sake of the people, the Sarawak government has fronted RM1 billion for the project. This is what we call bureaucracy,” he remarked.
Elaborating further, Abang Johari acknowledged that the issue was resolved through mutual trust between the Sarawak and federal governments.
Sarawak is also investing in rural clinics and accommodations for medical staff, aiming to provide better healthcare accessibility in remote areas.
The Premier reiterated his government’s commitment to healthcare advancements, with plans to upgrade facilities and invest in specialised training for healthcare workers.
“The Sarawak government is doing everything within its means to ensure that the people have access to quality healthcare services, whether in urban centres or rural villages.
“With our continuous investment in infrastructure and technology, we are moving towards a more efficient and equitable healthcare system,” he added.
The event was attended by various dignitaries and officials, including Dr Sim; Deputy Health Minister Dato Lukanisman Awang Sauni; MMA president Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz; MMA president-elect Dato Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira; Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) vice-chancellor Prof Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit; and MMA Sarawak president and organising chairman Dr Liew Shan Fap. — DayakDaily
