By Natasha Jee & Voon Yih Boon
KUCHING: The Sarawak government is working out the best approaches in providing good healthcare services to Sarawakians, particularly in remote areas.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg revealed that Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian had been tasked to conduct a study on them.
“We have two approaches. To solve the connectivity problem, we need to improve our road infrastructure to transport patients to the nearest hospital. This is because in the remote areas, we cannot only rely on air transport. If the weather is bad, air transport cannot be used.
“Another reason why I want to upgrade all the digital infrastructure is so that we can use telemedicine; the (health) examination can be supervised by a doctor who does not need to be there physically.
“As far as Sarawak is concerned, we are going towards that,” he said.
Abang Johari was speaking at the ‘A Sunday Morning with CM: Dialogue Session with Young Entrepreneurs in Sarawak’ at Pullman Hotel on Sunday (Sept 27).
He, however, pointed out that healthcare matters came under the purview of the federal government.
“As you know, investments in healthcare are quite huge. For hospitals, we need doctors, etc.
“But we are now negotiating (with the federal government) under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) to put healthcare under the Concurrent List so that we have a say in the development of our healthcare services,” he said.
Abang Johari added private hospitals were welcome to set up their facilities in rural areas. But he said their medical fees could be quite expensive.
