KUCHING: The Ministry of Health (MoH) is planning to build additional quarters for medical staff in the compound of Sungai Asap Health Clinic.
Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said the proposal would be included in the 12th Malaysia Plan.
“Currently, Sungai Asap Health Clinic has 23 quarters that house more than 30 staff. However, the number of staff quarters is still insufficient,” he said in response to a question by Hulu Rajang assemblyman Datuk Wilson Uggak Kumbong.
The assemblyman had asked if there were any plans to increase the staff quarters and provide family medical specialists at Sungai Asap Health Clinic during the question-and-answer session in Parliament today.
On the medical services at Sungai Health Health Clinic, Dr Adham said the clinic provided health and treatment services to a total of 13,056 people under its operating area.
He added that the clinic also housed the Malaria Control Centre for Belaga district.
“The total number of health personnel working in this facility is 73, of which 41 are clinic staff and 32 are health personnel at the Malaria Control Centre,” he said.
He said as of June this year, 520 family medicine specialists (FMS) are serving in 326 health clinics nationwide, with a total of 34 FMS serving in 11 districts in Sarawak.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he said there were changes in the activities planned including the final examination for the medical Master’s programme.
Dr Adham said the placement of specialists at health clinics had been delayed.
“However, to ensure the continuous delivery of primary health services including family medical specialists service to patients and the community both in the urban and rural areas, visits by health personnel including medical officers and family medical specialists, mobile clinics, flying doctor services and health outreach programme are being carried out,” he said.
He said family medical specialists’ visits take place at least once a month and it would base on the needs and resources available.
“At the moment, Sungai Asap Health Clinic receives medical specialist services from Kapit Health Clinic at least twice a month,” he said.
