Sarawak plans to expand mobile dental services to improve healthcare access in rural areas, says Premier

KUCHING (Jan 15): Sarawak aims to strengthen healthcare delivery by expanding access to mobile dental services across the state, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said the state is considering increasing the number of mobile dental clinics to improve access, particularly in rural and interior areas.

“I don’t think it will be an issue; it depends on the needs of the Ministry of Health. At the moment, we have eight mobile clinics.

“Assuming that the ministry needs more and because our remote area is now connected by roads and bridges, we can work together to increase the number of mobile dental clinics,” he told reporters when met after officiating the Digitalisation of Health Clinics Programme in Gedong.

He said with mobile dental clinics, there is no necessity to establish additional permanent facilities, as services can be delivered according to a schedule.

“With the mobile clinic, in my view, it is not necessary for you to have another component in the clinic because the clinic can come with a certain schedule.

“Once the schedule of the clinic is displayed, residents will be able to plan ahead and turn up when the service arrives in their area,” he said.

Earlier during the officiating ceremony, Abang Johari also addressed developments in tertiary healthcare, highlighting the construction of the Sarawak Cancer Centre, which will benefit not only the people of Sarawak but also patients from Sabah once key infrastructure projects, such as the Pan Borneo Highway and the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road, are fully completed.

“With the Pan Borneo Highway, Sabahans can drive from Kota Kinabalu to the cancer centre, while those from Sibu and Miri will also benefit,” he said.

He also said that the Sarawak government is prepared to assist the federal government financially to ensure the cancer centre’s development proceeds smoothly.

“This does not mean that we are boasting about Sarawak having a lot of money. We are sharing and helping one another,” he said.

Also present at the ceremony were Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, State Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, and Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.