SANDAKAN – The Sabah government is now waiting for a green light from the federal government to set up the Sabah Heart Institute, and Sabah Children’s Rehabilitation and Treatment Centre (CRTC) in Kota Kinabalu.
Sabah Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib said that both Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak have their own heart institutes, so there should be one in Sabah too.
“For the Sabah Heart Institute, we propose the construction be done with a build-operate-transfer (BOT) approach to ensure the construction will be faster, and more secure in terms of contractors,” he said.
Ratib said this at a press conference after launching a parental workshop for special needs children at Sandakan Hotel here yesterday.
He said the setting up of the Sabah Heart Institute and CRTC was discussed during his meeting with Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa on March 4.
“I also raised other issues such as lack of specialists, hospital beds, parking spaces, dilapidated health clinics, as well as the welfare of children suffering mental illnesses,” he said.
On CRTC, Ratib said that the centre will work like a school for children with autism, and it will operate under the Health Ministry.
He said that currently such centres are only operated by the private sector and are unaffordable to financially disadvantaged families, especially those living in rural areas.
“This matter has been brought to the Sabah cabinet recently, and the Sabah government has agreed to prepare a piece of land in Kota Kinabalu for both CRTC and the Sabah Heart Institute.
“Right now, we are only waiting for a green light from the federal government for this to be finalised.
“I am positive that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor who are very concerned with the welfare of the people will approve of this proposal,” he added. – The Vibes, March 12, 2023
