Debak Health Clinic added facilities through RM11 million project

DEBAK, 2 Oct: Debak Health Clinic will be added to the new block of Maternal and Child Health Unit as well as Dental Clinic under RM11 million project after more than 50 years of operation.

Sarawak Deputy Minister of Women, Children and Community Development, Datuk Mohammad Razi Sitam said infrastructure development should be supported with adequate medical power to ensure that the new facilities can be fully utilised.

He said efforts to get specialist doctors to be placed in the clinic should also be taken into consideration, besides ensuring that the number of existing medical staff is not reduced.

"If possible, the four existing doctors will be maintained and added in the future, especially after this new building is completed", he said.

He said this while attending the Proposed Land Breakdown and Building New Block of Maternal and Child Health Unit as well as Building Dental Clinic at Debak Health Clinic, here today.

The Department of Public Works' control project involved the construction of a main lobby, Maternal and Child Health Clinic, Dental Clinic as well as shared space to improve existing facilities.

The project, which is located about 51 kilometers from the Concrete has a duration of 20 months, started on July 27 and is expected to be completed by March 26, 2028.

Mohammad Razi said that the addition of facilities should be accompanied by adequate provision of medical power to ensure that Debak and surrounding areas have access to better health services.

"We don't want when the new building is finished, facilities are there but not enough medical power. Therefore, we want the doctor's quota to be maintained and, if possible, increased", he said.

Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Betong, Dato Dr Richard Rapu Begri said the consolidation of Debak Health Clinic through the construction of the new block is expected to help reduce the burden on hospitals by strengthening healthcare services at district level.

He said that more comprehensive primary health facilities at the root level are essential to encourage communities to get early examination and treatment, especially for cases that do not require hospital treatment.

He said more comprehensive clinical facilities could also encourage the community to conduct regular health checks, thus helping early detection of health problems.

"With the completion of this project later, when health clinics have more complete services, it will further strengthen healthcare in the area.

"When health services are good and people are healthy, the burden on hospitals will decrease because not all cases need to be referred to hospitals", he said.