By Dayangku Hidayatul
KUCHING, Feb 21: Sarawak’s Deputy Premier and Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian will raise the issue of staff shortages and policy gaps in the State’s healthcare system at the technical committee meeting of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) next week.
He said national policies often fail to account for Sarawak’s unique needs, leaving the State under-resourced in key areas.
“There are some technical issues that I want to raise next week at the MA63 Technical Committee because sometimes national policies are extended throughout Malaysia without taking into account Sarawak’s situation.
“They forget that Sarawak does not have certain main powers, so how can these policies be extended to us here?” he told reporters after attending the bubur lambuk distribution programme at the Stutong Ramadan Bazaar today.
Dr Sim said rural clinics in Sarawak often rely on medical assistants to administer anaesthesia due to a shortage of doctors, exposing gaps in national policies.
He added that Sarawak should be exempted because existing rules were made without accounting for the State’s realities.
He also highlighted staffing disparities, noting Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) has 1,000 beds and 4,500 staff, while a similar hospital in West Malaysia has 5,500 staff.
“Over the years, the number of sanctioned positions in Sarawak has not increased. As a result, our doctors, nurses and paramedics carry the workload of extra people compared to their West Malaysian counterparts.
“Yet, they continue to do a good job, and most of the time, you don’t hear complaints,” he added.
Dr Sim further called for greater appreciation of healthcare workers who serve during festivals and holidays, noting that their positive contributions often go unnoticed.
He said the Ministry will continue to support Sarawak’s healthcare system to ensure communities receive the care they need. — DayakDaily
