KUCHING: Sarawak is in the process of drafting a policy paper on health autonomy for the state as enshrined under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Recently, a workshop on healthcare enhancement in Sarawak (White Paper on Healthcare Enhancement in Sarawak) was held here involving officials from 14 federal and state agencies.
Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said the discussions held throughout the workshop involving various agencies were to identify details that needed to be included in the policy paper.
“We need to discuss the details in the policy paper, at least we know the motion because we can’t just say and demand autonomy for health services,” he said.
The Deputy Premier said this when met by reporters after officiating at the closing ceremony for Innovative and Creative Circle (ICC) Convention held at Hotel Raia, yesterday.
He added that among the things discussed was bridging the health gap in Sarawak in addition to the state’s options in terms of healthcare.
“Sarawak’s aspiration is health autonomy but there is no denying that we are facing various challenges including in terms of infrastructures, among others.
“Thus, various aspects need to be considered in order to claim autonomy, which includes 90 per cent of the total number of healthcare workers including nurses, doctors and pharmacists who are from Sarawak.
“At the same time we must also identify the number of hospitals that need to be upgraded,” he said.
Dr Sim also said that it is very important that the details in the policy paper are refined and shared with Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“Then I will present it to Minister of Health, Khairy Jamaluddin and it will be tabled in parliament in October or November,” he stressed.
