Midwives vital to Sarawak healthcare delivery, infrastructure must be strengthened for rural access

Lee (fifth left) holds a baby dummy when officiating the closing ceremony of the International Midwives Day Conference (IMDC) 2026 in Miri on May 5, 2026.

By DayakDaily Team

MIRI, May 5: Midwives play a vital role in Sarawak’s healthcare delivery system, and as such, infrastructure development must be prioritised to ensure that childbirth, maternal and child healthcare services can effectively reach dispersed settlements, particularly in rural and interior areas.

In a TVS news, Minister for Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin said Sarawak’s vast geography and scattered settlements require continuous efforts to ensure equitable access to maternal and child healthcare, especially in remote communities.

“Midwives often have to travel across challenging terrain, including river routes and difficult land access, to reach expectant mothers in longhouse communities.

“This reality underscores the importance of connectivity, where investment in road infrastructure, reliable transport systems, and emergency assets is not merely a development priority, but the backbone of effective healthcare delivery,” he said in his speech at the closing ceremony of the International Midwives Day Conference (IMDC) 2026 today.

Lee highlighted that rural areas such as Kapit and Baram continue to face significant challenges in delivering timely and quality maternal healthcare services.

He added that these efforts are aligned with the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS 2030), which emphasises inclusive development through strengthened rural infrastructure.

“This strategy prioritises inclusive and balanced development, recognising that equitable access to healthcare, which is supported by rural infrastructure development, digital connectivity, and outreach services, is fundamental to ensuring no community is left behind.

“Significant progress can be seen through various initiatives such as rural road improvements, expansion of telecommunication networks, and the development of mobile healthcare services including flying doctor services,” he said.

He also noted that Malaysia is expected to become an ageing nation by 2030, making the role of midwives increasingly important, not only in childbirth, but also in reproductive health, family planning, and the overall well-being of women. — DayakDaily