By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Jan 15: The RM486 million Prima Health Centre at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak’s (Unimas) Teaching Hospital will be an exceptional platform to integrate research, education, and innovative healthcare services, especially with the eventual completion of the Teaching Hospital.
Deputy Minister of Higher Education Datuk Ts Mustapha Sakmud highlighted the importance of establishing such health centres to expand access to quality healthcare, particularly for communities in the Samarahan area and extending to Kuching and Serian.
“This is one of the Ministry’s key initiatives in Sarawak. As a higher education institution, Unimas not only contributes to producing highly skilled medical graduates but also serves as a catalyst for community development.
“This aligns with the nation’s vision to position technology as a key driver in delivering services to the people,” he said during the inauguration of the Prima Health Centre today.
The ceremony was officiated by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, alongside Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.
Mustapha reiterated that the Madani government acknowledges the healthcare sector as a vital pillar in the country’s development.
The government is committed to ensuring accessible healthcare for all by implementing policies aimed at continuously improving the healthcare system’s performance.
“The pandemic has underscored the critical need for basic healthcare services to ensure the safety and well-being of our population, regardless of nationality. Therefore, the Ministry remains dedicated to supporting initiatives that strengthen this sector,” he emphasised.
He added that a key initiative is ensuring local universities, including Unimas, receive the necessary support to develop modern infrastructure and integrate the latest technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and telemedicine, into healthcare services.
“The Prima Health Centre has the potential to lead the way in applying these technologies, offering more efficient, precise, and user-friendly treatments,” he expressed.
Mustapha also stressed that this commitment extends beyond just physical infrastructure, as health is a shared responsibility.
“It is our duty in the Ministry to ensure universities produce human capital that is responsible, dedicated, committed, and excels in delivering healthcare services to the people.
“The Ministry will continue to invest in human capital development to cultivate more highly qualified healthcare professionals, which is crucial to ensuring the effectiveness of healthcare services available to the public,” he concluded.
The Prima Health Centre began offering services to the public on Nov 4, 2024, as part of Phase 1 of the Unimas Teaching Hospital project. Phase 2 will focus on completing the main Teaching Hospital building (HPUNIMAS).
In addition to medical services, the Centre serves as a hub for teaching, learning, and hands-on training for Unimas medical students. This initiative aligns with efforts to produce high-quality medical graduates and integrates education, research, and healthcare services.
Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang, Unimas board of director chairman Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Sulong Matjeraie and Unimas vice chancellor Prof Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit were among those present. — DayakDaily
