48% of the citizens are still in HUS, Sarawak needs more geriatric power

KUCHING, 1 Oct: As many as 48 per cent of patients over the age of 60 at Sarawak General Hospital (HUS) are still in hospital, thus indicating the need to strengthen the state's energy and geriatric care system.

Deputy Prime Minister of Sarawak, Dato Amar Prof. I'm going to see Dr. Sim Kui Hian said the situation is among the challenges to be addressed as the number of golden citizens increases, especially when families and communities do not yet have adequate care capacity.

"We need to prepare for the aging process. Everyone is going through an aging process. We need to train more people, not just geriatricians, but also communities and families because they need to know how to take care of the golden age", he said.

He said this when meeting with reporters after launching the 2026 International Day of Golden Citizens program in the HUS lounge, here today.

Dr Sim said that Sarawak now has over 365,000 people aged 60 and above, but the number of geriatric specialists is still limited to four in the public sector and two in the private sector.

He said the lack of trained personnel in senior citizen care also caused some patients over 60 years old to remain in hospital despite requiring post-treatment care support.

"If not, this is why 48 percent of patients over the age of 60 in Sarawak General Hospital are hospitalized. We don't have enough hospital beds when patients are stranded", he said.

He said preparation for the aging community should go beyond providing geriatric specialists by strengthening the capacity of families and communities in providing care at home.

He said the support was essential to ensure that senior citizens who have received treatment can continue with appropriate care after leaving hospital.

The 2026 International Day of the Golden Citizen program also provides a range of activities and services, including fall risk filters, balance and walking style assessments, physical strength, sitting and standing tests as well as memory and cognitive filters.

The public also has access to pharmaceutical services, osteoporosis and bone health awareness, social welfare as well as blood pressure filters, sugar and bone scans.

"We need to train more people, not just geriatricians, but also communities and families because they need to know how to take care of the golden age", he said.