Wan Junaidi: Strengthening healthcare infrastructure, rural access key for Sarawak

KUCHING (Jan 16): Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has underscored the need to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and enhance collaboration between the federal and Sarawak governments during a courtesy visit by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad to his official residence today.

In a Facebook post following the meeting, Wan Junaidi highlighted several critical issues in healthcare development, including the importance of strategic cooperation to address challenges across the state.

“The development of medical infrastructure and close collaboration between the Federal and Sarawak governments are crucial to ensure healthcare services can be delivered efficiently and equitably,” he said.

He also stressed the role of digital technology in public healthcare, describing the integration of medical records into digital systems as a key step toward improving efficiency and continuity of patient care.

“Digital integration in medical records will help streamline services and improve the overall quality of care provided to patients,” he said.

Wan Junaidi further emphasised the need to establish more health clinics in strategic locations, particularly in rural and interior areas, to ensure better accessibility for local communities.

“We must ensure that people in rural areas are not left behind and can access healthcare services without unnecessary difficulty,” he said.

He also highlighted the importance of sufficient treatment wards and proper deployment of medical officers so that patients requiring urgent care receive timely attention.

“These measures are vital to ensure that Sarawakians, especially those in remote areas, have fair and quality access to healthcare services, in line with the national health system reform agenda,” he added.

During the visit, Wan Junaidi and his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, received a briefing from Dr Dzulkefly on the latest progress of hospital and health clinic development projects across Sarawak, including the Petra Jaya Hospital, expected to be completed this year, and the Sarawak Cancer Centre.

Wan Junaidi expressed hope that the partnership between the Ministry of Health and the Sarawak government would continue to strengthen, further enhancing healthcare infrastructure and raising health standards for all Sarawakians.