THE shortage of doctors and specialists in Sarawak has worsened since the start of this year, said Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian.
At least 240 medical doctors and specialists have left Sarawak since early last month to take up jobs in the peninsula states, he said.
Dr Sim, who is State Minister for Public Health, Local Government and Housing, said the departure en-masse resulted in a worsening shortage in government hospitals and clinics in Sarawak.
"We are already facing a serious shortage of doctors and specialists, and now another 240 plus have left for peninsula Malaysia since early January this year.
"We (state government) have requested urgent attention from the federal Health Ministry.
"The federal ministry had responded by offering 200 immediate postings to Sarawak for doctors and specialists willing to come here.
"However, only 20 took up the offer and that number cannot overcome the severe shortage we are facing," he said at the Sarawak United Peoples Party post-Chinese New Year gathering in Sibu.
Dr Sim said those who could not wait for the long queues in government hospitals and clinics now have to go to private hospitals and clinics.
"The costs are very high and still escalating," he said.
Dr Sim said Sarawak will have to come up with comprehensive plans on how to overcome these woes.
Sarawak is too heavily dependent on non-Sarawakian doctors as there are not enough trained local Sarawakians in this crucial health and medical services sectors.
This situation is prevalent in all urban and rural districts, involving both the government hospitals and clinics as well as private ones, said Dr Sim.
"In Sarawak, based on latest statistics, there are 4,000 doctors serving in government hospitals and clinics and 659 doctors in private hospitals and clinics.
"Of these, the majority of them are non-Sarawakians and they are here to fill the needs of the local health and medical sectors throughout the state.
He said his ministry is trying to find ways to get more Sarawakians to go for medical courses. – February 28, 2025
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