KOTA KINABALU – Water samples are being taken on a weekly basis to check for potential health hazards in Sandakan following reports of saltwater-intrusion into the district’s pipelines.
State health director Datuk Dr Rose Nani Mudin said samples have been sent to the laboratory for testing and that results are pending.
“We have taken samples of the salty tap water at a joint meeting held before.
“Our engineers have sent the samples to the lab…we are still waiting for the results.
“We want to look at the chemical content inside the water to determine whether it is polluted,” Rose told reporters today.
While there are no immediate health risks from the salty tap water in the short-run, she expressed concerns on possible detriment to the people’s health if the situation becomes prolonged.
“This is why we are constantly checking the quality of water. There are no long-term effects yet involving the incident. But we are monitoring,” she said when met after the launching of the Oxygen Program for the people #SharingIsCaring at Menara Kinabalu here today.
Saltwater from the Segaliud River in Sandakan intruded the water supply via Sandakan’s Betotan Dam due to a faulty gate control system.
Nearly half a million people were affected by the contamination after they were reported to have been tasting salty water since December last year, according to Sandakan residents.
Sabah Public Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, during a visit to Sandakan on February 8, said repairs for the faulty gate control system will be completed this month after parts ordered from India arrived.
The state was also reportedly to have established a team of experts to deal with the salty tap water case.
On another note, Rose said upgrading plans for 326 health clinics across Sabah and increasing the number of specialists in state hospitals as laid out in the white paper produced by the previous health minister Khairy Jamaluddin will continue.
“It will go as planned. The Health Ministry will look at the budget and the resources namely, specialists and equipment needed. The paperwork is being done. The progress will be done in stages but we have already started the work,” she said.
On a separate matter, there are about 287 dilapidated clinics in Sabah, and 39 clinics which are “uncomfortable” for use based on the figures released in the Health Ministry’s White Paper in September last year.
Among the seven-point health reforms in the White Paper, Khairy also noted that the number of specialist services at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital here, the Duchess of Kent Hospital in Sandakan, and Tawau Hospital will be increased.
Meanwhile, the Keningau and Lahad Datu hospitals will be upgraded to major specialist hospitals, while the Beaufort, Kota Marudu and Tuaran hospitals will be upgraded to minor specialist hospitals.
The process will take between eight to 10 years under the 12th and 13th Malaysia Plans. – The Vibes, March 13, 2023
