MP: Health Ministry considers including radiotherapy services at Miri Hospital

MIRI (Oct 7): The Ministry of Health (MoH) is considering a proposal to expand oncology services to include radiotherapy services at Miri Hospital, said Miri MP Chiew Choon Man.

Chiew said while initial cancer treatments such as diagnostics, surgery, and chemotherapy are already available at Miri Hospital, the absence of radiotherapy services remains a gap in cancer treatment for residents in the northern region.

“Radiotherapy services are still being planned due to the high cost of infrastructure development and equipment procurement, which also requires more extensive manpower planning,” he said in a press statement yesterday.

On the progress of cardiology services for Miri Hospital, Chiew said MoH has proposed the development of an Invasive Cardiology Laboratory (ICL) at Miri Hospital, which is listed under the 12th Malaysia Plan Rolling Plan 4 (2025) with an estimated cost of RM14.5 million.

“If approved, this project will equip Miri Hospital with crucial cardiology services. I will continue to push for this project to receive the necessary attention for the well-being of the people in northern Sarawak,” he said.

Chiew also noted that he had sent a letter to the Prime Minister’s Office last month, emphasising the need for cardiology specialists at Miri Hospital, particularly with the planned ICL.

“With the establishment of the ICL, it will not only ease the burden on Miri people, but also serve the wider population in the northern region,” he said, adding that the development would help ensure balanced healthcare infrastructure across the country, including rural areas.

He reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for the healthcare needs of Miri’s community in the upcoming parliamentary session, stressing that the proposed projects would greatly benefit the community and the surrounding regions.