‘Take care of your teeth’: Premier Abang Johari tells Betong folk

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg (centre) with other Sarawak leaders upon arriving at the Betong Sports Complex for the Sarawakku Sayang programme in Betong on Sept 26, 2026. Photo credit: UKAS

By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, Sept 26: Betong folk have been urged to take better care of their teeth as feedback from health personnel points to a need for more dental services in the division.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the feedback was among the health-related needs identified during the Sarawakku Sayang programme in Betong today.

He said similar feedback had been received during the programme in Sarikei, where diabetes-related cases had highlighted the need for additional dialysis services.

“For Sarikei, the feedback we received was related to diabetes, with people coming to Sarikei for treatment. That is why we had to add a dialysis centre in Sarikei,” he said in his speech at the programme, which was broadcast live by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) on Facebook.

Turning to Betong, Abang Johari said health personnel had identified dental care as an area requiring greater attention.

“In Betong, I was informed that we need a lot of dental services to take care of our teeth.

“This means we need to take care of our health, from what we eat to what comes out. This is a service that we need to improve,” he said.

Abang Johari also said Sarawak currently had more than 3,000 vacancies in the healthcare sector, including more than 1,000 doctor positions.

“We lack doctors, including dentists,” he said, urging Sarawakian youths, including STPM students, to study hard and consider pursuing medicine so they could return to serve the people. — DayakDaily