Healthcare services in Penampang must keep up with growing population, says Warisan man

PENAMPANG (Feb 28): The federal and Sabah governments should prioritise healthcare services in the Penampang district to meet the needs of its rapidly growing population, said Parti Warisan Penampang Inobong district election coordinator Simon Peter.

He said they had received numerous complaints from the public on the poor condition of the Penampang Polyclinic.

“During our visit to the polyclinic, we observed untrimmed branches and overgrown shrubs along the road just outside its main gate, which scratched vehicles entering and exiting the compound.

“Inside the clinic grounds, numerous potholes are visible along the internal roads,” he said in a statement after a site visit.

He hoped the Majlis Perbandaran Penampang would coordinate with Sabah Electricity and relevant road concessionaires to clear the shrubs and reseal the internal road network.

He also emphasised the urgent need to upgrade the clinic’s IT infrastructure by procuring new computers, laptops, printers and servers.

“Nearly all administrative and clinic functions rely on digital systems, and outdated equipment only slows down service delivery.”

However, Simon noted the most serious complaint was the waiting area outside the building, which lacks proper ventilation and cooling and the floor remains dusty and uncomfortable for patients.

“The state government should empathise with the heat, humidity and discomfort faced by Penampang residents by installing sufficient cooling fans and properly paving and concreting the area.

“Worn-out chairs must also be replaced and their numbers, along with wheelchairs, should be increased to accommodate patients more comfortably,” he said.

Meanwhile, Parti Warisan strategic communications director Christopher Masudal also raised concerns regarding the status of the proposed Class 3 health clinic in Kampung Dambai here.

He questioned whether the project remained on track or if delays had occurred without public knowledge.

He said news reports in April 2023 indicated that the Public Works Department was expected to conduct the tender process around October or November 2023, with construction scheduled for 2024.

“However, during our visit, there were no visible signs of construction at the site.

“The Penampang health clinic is a priority for our division, and for me personally, as it directly impacts the quality of healthcare services for hundreds of thousands of current and future Penampang residents,” he said.