KUCHING, Nov 30: In effort to enhance the quality of medical services in Sarawak, the state health department has received RM2.4 billion of operating funds and RM382.1 million of development funds.
According to Deputy Premier, Dato Sri Dr. Sim Kui Hian several hospitals are slated for completion by 2024, across the state which are critical to care for those residing in rural areas.
“As of 25th November, the construction of an additional block in Miri is scheduled to complete in April 2024, followed by the Petra Jaya Hospital in November 2024 and Lawas’ new hospital by December of the same year.
“The physical structure of Nanga Kemalih Health Clinic in Sarikei has been completed and rectification works is currently undertaken by the Fire and Rescue Department while the Bandaraya Miri Health Clinic and Siburan Health Clinic completion rate is at 99.55 percent and 89.6 percent respectively,” said Sim who is also the Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government in his winding-up speech in DUN sitting on Wednesday.
Dr Sim noted that to accommodate COVID-19 and future infectious diseases patients, the state government has allocated a total of RM6.1 million for the construction of the 108-bed and 100-bed field hospitals in Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) and Miri Hospital respectively.
These facilities can also be expanded day care centre he added, and will be completed within the first quarter of 2023.
Additionally, oral health health services were also expanded in 2022.
“We have procured four new mobile dental clinics to expand the coverage of oral health services since September 2022 and are being utilised in Kuching, Bintulu, Sarikei and Limbang.
“Currently we are in the midst of procuring three more which will be deployed in Kapit, Mukah and Betong. This will bring the total number of mobile dental teams in Sarawak to 100, from 97,” added Dr Sim.
Moreover, two new dental clinics in Jepak, Bintulu and in Sungai Asap, Kapit are expected to be operable by January 2023 on a daily basis. – TVS
