KOTA KINABALU: Overburdened facilities and medical professional ‘brain drain’ are worsening Sabah’s healthcare service quality and putting lives at risk, says Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam.
The Deputy Chief Minister II said urgent Federal Government intervention is needed to help the state’s healthcare catch up to the demand for essential services.
Dr Joachim said critical issues, including overcrowded clinics, the lack of essential services and the growing "brain drain" of medical professionals leaving the country needs to be addressed.
“Increasing demand for healthcare, coupled with an overburdened workforce, has left our healthcare system facing unprecedented challenges.
"Public clinics are in deplorable conditions, and many essential services remain unavailable in Sabah.
“For instance, children with congenital heart disorders still need to be flown to Kuala Lumpur for surgery,” he said when opening the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) Sabah branch’s annual dinner and installation night here on Saturday (Dec 14).
Dr Joachim said there is an urgent need for better medical facilities and an increased number of doctors and specialists to meet the growing demands of Sabah’s population.
“The state government hopes that the federal government may urgently look into these matters.
"Sabah needs better facilities and more doctors and specialists. At the same time, the state government greatly appreciates the contributions of medical doctors and specialists working all over Sabah,” he added.
Reaffirming the state government's commitment to supporting healthcare services and professionals, Dr Joachim said "the state government will continue to do whatever it can to support healthcare services and staff in the state.
"Recently our Prime Minister just announced the formation of the heart centre for Sabah and needs to be implemented.," he said, adding that the state government was always working with the federal government on health needs.
