Sabah Heart Centre given top priority, Dzulkefly concedes staffing shortage remains a challenge

KOTA KINABALU, August 17 — The Sabah Heart Centre, funded with RM125 million, is set to commence construction in the third quarter of 2027 and should open by the third quarter of 2029, according to Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. The project, part of the 13th Malaysia Plan’s first rolling plan for 2026, is currently in the preliminary stages, including the procurement of material testing services.

Dzulkefly, chairing the first 2026 Joint Action Committee Meeting on Sabah Health Development, highlighted that the Ministry of Health will prioritize the heart centre, despite acknowledging staffing shortages as a significant challenge. He expressed confidence in addressing these issues by leveraging existing specialist training programs and anticipated future expertise.

The heart centre, initially proposed in 2024, is among seven new health projects approved for Sabah under the RM1.57 billion allocated in the 13th Malaysia Plan. Dzulkefly also announced 607 new positions in Sabah, including 77 specialist roles, as part of ongoing discussions with the Sabah government on matters under the Malaysia Agreement 1963, particularly focusing on health autonomy and staffing.