Healthcare: Thousands of vacant posts, weak take-up of placements a major hurdle
SARAWAK can build more hospitals, but if it cannot attract and retain enough healthcare workers to run them, the state’s healthcare capacity will remain limited no matter how much infrastructure is added. The clearest warning came in 2025, when the M...
Sarawak is investing in healthcare infrastructure, but struggles with attracting and retaining healthcare workers. In 2025, only 57% of 764 permanent medical officer placements were taken, with 332 candidates not reporting or declining. The issue is not just about recruiting doctors, but ensuring they remain in the places needed.
This challenge extends beyond healthcare, with the Ministry of Education also facing difficulties filling postings in Sarawak. Sarawak has a lower doctor-to-population ratio compared to the national average, and its population is aging, increasing demand for various healthcare services. The state plans to invest RM17.26 billion in upgrading and redeveloping healthcare facilities by 2025, but lacks a workforce to staff them.
The government has offered incentives for medical and dental specialists posted to Sarawak, but reports suggest incentives alone are insufficient. A more sustainable solution is to develop a workforce pipeline specifically designed for Sarawak, including scholarships, rural clinical exposure, and guaranteed placements.
Written by urgent.news from The Vibes's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
