Miri Hospital still in early phase, gradual improvements underway, says Lukanisman

MIRI (Dec 21): The operation of Miri Hospital is still in its early stages and requires gradual improvements to better meet the needs of the local community, said Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni.

The Sibuti MP likened the hospital to a 100-day-old infant, indicating that it has not yet reached its optimal operational level and will need time to fully develop.

“Miri Hospital may be facing issues such as parking and facility usage, but rest assured, improvement works will take place gradually,” said Lukanisman, who is Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister.

He said starting next year, the hospital will begin constructing an Invasive Cardiac Laboratory (ICL), a specialised unit for diagnosing and treating heart conditions, at a cost of RM16 million.

“The allocation for the ICL at Miri Hospital under the Ministry of Health has been approved.

“This is a very encouraging development, and we hope this unit will help reduce the queue for heart patients who currently have to go to the Sarawak Heart Centre,” he said when officiating the Sarawak Annual Mass Circumcision 2025 at Miri Hospital on Saturday.

Lukanisman, who was Deputy Health Minister prior to last Tuesday’s Cabinet reshuffle, added that a smaller-scaled ICL has already been introduced in Bintulu, with another planned in Sibu by June next year.

He said this highlights the critical need for such services as there is presently only one heart specialist in a private hospital in Miri.

Despite his new portfolio, Lukanisman reaffirmed his commitment to supporting healthcare development in Sarawak and reminded the public that government hospitals belong to the people and are for the people.

Regarding the mass circumcision event involving 146 boys, he assured parents that clinical procedures at government hospitals are safe and meet proper medical standards.

He noted that the procedure is becoming increasingly common among children of various racial backgrounds.

Also present at the event were Miri Hospital director Dr Jack Wong Siew Yu, deputy mayor Ariffin Mohamad, General Surgical Department head Dr Aminnur Hafiz Maliki, Miri Surgical Society chairman Dr Milaksh Nirumal Kumar, and Persatuan Belia Miri chairman Mohammad Aniq Ashwin Abuzar.

Statewide, over 1,600 boys participated in the Sunathon, which is set to create a record in the Malaysia Book of Records.