By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, May 5: Sarawak seeks the power to handle the placement of healthcare workers to resolve shortages, including nurse-to-patient ratio, says Deputy Premier of Sarawak Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian.
He said the matter was among the Sarawak government’s proposals in the White Paper that the Ministry of Health (MOH) will present to Parliament.
Speaking at the International Midwives’ Day Conference 2023 held at Raia Hotel and Convention Centre here today, he said Malaysia’s current nurse-to-patient ratio is 1:283, while Sarawak recorded 1:342.
“This means our nurses here (have to) work harder.
“As a result, that is why Sarawakians’ aspirations are health autonomy and that will also allow the federal government (to have) less headache,” he said.
Speaking to the press after the event, Dr Sim, who is Sarawak’s Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, explained that only when the power to handle human resources is delegated back to Sarawak will the nurse-to-patient ratio improve and enable Sarawak to catch up or be equivalent with other states.
For example, he said there are many cases of healthcare workers making an appeal not to be placed or transferred to Sarawak or, most, they do not want to go to remote areas like Kapit and Belaga.
“(Thus) we not only ask that we want to be equivalent (with other states), we said we want the power to be given back to us so that you (federal) tell us what the number that you have proposed is and Sarawak will employ the people on your behalf.
“If they (federal) employ, the (workers) would appeal they want to stay in Kuala Lumpur.
“People like me, I want to come home because Sarawak is my home. Otherwise, if I were from Penang, would I come to Sarawak? So I would (want to) stay in Penang naturally,” he added.
Amongst those present were Deputy Director General of Health (Medical) Dato Dr Asmayani Khalib, Director of Nursing Matron Devi K Saravana Muthu, Sarawak Health Department Director Dr Ooi Choo Huck, Sarawak Midwives Association president Rosena Abdul Ghani, and the event’s organising chairperson Shirley Chan Cha Bo. — DayakDaily
