KUCHING: A special task force will be formed to come up with terms of reference for the Federal Government to reimburse Sarawak for developing healthcare infrastructure in the state, says a state deputy minister.
Deputy Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Michael Tiang (pic) said the task force is to be jointly headed by the Chief Secretary to the Government and Sarawak state secretary and would also look into the details of implementing the mechanism.
He said it was agreed last month that Sarawak would pioneer the provision of initial financing to upgrade and develop healthcare infrastructure and facilities to expedite their implementation.
"Under this initiative, the Federal Government will reimburse the Sarawak government for the entire cost at a later stage under the concept of deferred payment or other business model as may be agreed by both parties.
"By adopting this proposed mechanism, Sarawak will be able to proceed with the planned programme to address dilapidated clinics and health facilities efficiently and at a lower cost.
"We will not wait for funds to be made available by the Federal Government to do this," Tiang told Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh (GPS-Bawang Assan) during question time in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly on Tuesday (May 7).
He said the mechanism would push forward the implementation of critical healthcare projects that had been delayed due to various factors, especially funding.
As such, he said issues raised by assemblymen on the upgrading of dilapidated clinics and hospitals in Sarawak hinged on the success of the terms of reference and details of the new funding mechanism.
Tiang also said 206 clinics in Sarawak, including 51 in urban areas, were categorised as dilapidated based on a new assessment last December.
He said the Health Ministry approved 39 projects totalling RM8.5mil to upgrade dilapidated clinics in Sarawak last year, all of which had been completed.
"For 2024, RM19mil has been allocated for 39 dilapidated clinic projects throughout Sarawak, including six urban clinics," he added.
