KUCHING, 27 Sept: Feasible study should not be solely based on population ratio prior to establishing a health facility.
Responding to the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) tabled today, Assistant Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research, Dr Annuar Rapaee, suggested a minimum of service standard should be used instead, to provide equal healthcare services to rural areas.
“If we are still measuring by population, it would not be effective in Sarawak. The entire population in Sarawak is scattered,” he said.
He regarded that it would not be fair to areas with a small population, as hospitals would not be built in the area.
“For me, providing health service based on health service accessibility is more important,” Annuar added.
Under the 12MP, the government aims to improve hospital readiness by achieving a ratio of 2.06 hospital beds per thousand population by 2025.
If the government continues with the idea, he warned that clinics in rural Sarawak will not be upgraded due to low head counts.
“If we follow the simple rule of population, rural clinics will never be upgraded.
“As long as there are settlements, we need to provide a minimum service, such as having a doctor, proper equipments and facilities. That is the only way, where the people can enjoy a standard health service,” he noted. – TVS
