Concerns raised as 77 pct of health clinics in Sarawak are in poor condition

Dr Sim delivering his ministerial winding-up speech during the DUN sitting on Nov 28, 2023. Photo credit: Ukas

By Ashley Sim

KUCHING, Nov 28: As many as 209 out of 271 health clinics in Sarawak, or 77.1 per cent of them, are in poor physical condition, including 177 Klinik Kesihatan, 17 Klinik Komuniti, 11 Klinik Kesihatan Ibu dan Anak, and four Klinik Desa.

Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian informed the august House that the Federal Ministry of Health (MOH) has allocated RM21 million this year for repairs and upgrading works for health clinics in Sarawak.

Dr Sim, who is also Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government (MPHLG) Sarawak, stated that the allocations are as follows: BP0600 budget for upgrading, renovation, and repair works (RM9 million); Klinik Daif budget (RM8.4 million); and BP201 budget for rural clinic service (RM3.6 million).

On the same note, he revealed that as of Oct 31, the Sarawak State Health Department had received RM2.62 billion in operating funds and RM397.68 million in development funds from MOH to be used for operational expenses, human capital development, minor upgrading and repair of health facilities, hospital and clinic support services, and medical equipment procurement.

“As of Oct 31m there are 26,611 government healthcare personnel including 2,843 on contract basis serving in Sarawak against 27,651 approved posts.

“As at Oct 25, the overall physical progress of Petra Jaya Hospital is 64.67 per cent and is scheduled to complete in November 2024.

“As at Oct 25, the physical progress of the construction of an additional block in Miri Hospital is 82.19 per cent and is scheduled to complete in April 2024,” he said when presenting the ministerial winding-up speech during the Second Meeting for the Second Term of the 19th Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN), which was held at the DUN complex here today.

Furthermore, for the new Lawas Hospital, Dr Sim mentioned that the physical progress is 46.53 per cent and is now scheduled to complete in December 2024.

“I am pleased to update this august House that the Nanga Kemalih Health Clinic, Sarikei (Type 6) is expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2024.

“Bandaraya Miri Health Clinic (Type 2) was handed over to the Sarawak State Health Department on Oct 27 this year and is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2024.

“Siburan Health Clinic (Type 3) is expected to be completed in the first quarter of next year. As of Oct 25, 2023, the physical progress is 97.5 per cent. The remaining work involved the installation of medical equipment and architectural finishing works.”

Dr Sim, who is also Batu Kawah assemblyman, remarked that the Sarawak government is contributing RM6.1 million towards the building of an 88-bed Field Hospital at the Sarawak General Hospital and a 100–bed Field Hospital at the Miri Hospital.

“As at Oct 25, 2023 the overall physical progress of the Miri Field Hospital is 78 per cent and is now scheduled to be completed in the first quarter next year.

“Tender for the Field Hospital at Sarawak General Hospital was not successful due to the tendered sum exceeding the budget cost.

“Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak has submitted the application for additional funds to the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) and is now waiting for the approval,” he added. — DayakDaily