Discussion on state’s healthcare autonomy on Sept 19

KUCHING: The Sarawak government will discuss healthcare autonomy under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and its director-general, Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan, on September 19.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the talks will focus on decentralising healthcare powers, particularly concerning the Private Medical Practice Control Branch (CKAPS).

He stressed it is important for the Sarawak government to manage CKAPS itself to ensure smooth approval of operational licenses for private healthcare providers.

“One of the key issues is the lengthy approval process for operational licenses.

“For instance, the newly opened Kuching Kidney Centre had to wait three years for approval. The facility was ready, with all the equipment and staff in place, but it couldn’t operate due to delays in CKAPS approval from Kuala Lumpur.

“We don’t want to depend entirely on national-level approvals. Sarawak has the expertise and resources to manage these facilities locally,” he told reporters after officiating the centre yesterday.

Kuching Kidney Centre submitted its application in 2021 and only received approval in July this year.

Dr Sim also emphasised the urgent need for additional hemodialysis machines, stating that the state requires at least 50 new machines annually to meet the growing demand.

“That’s why CKAPS matters are crucial to address. We need centres like this to operate as quickly as possible because the number of patients increases every year,” he added.

He also pointed out that healthcare autonomy under MA63 is a gradual process.

“Healthcare autonomy is a journey. We need to negotiate year by year, identifying which aspects to take over first and then building on that. It’s not something that can be done overnight,” he said.