Empty posts, crumbling clinics: Sarawak wants the power to fix its own healthcare

KUCHING, Sept 12 — Sarawak is seeking greater regulatory authority under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 (Act 586), according to Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian. The issue was discussed during the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Implementation Action Council meeting in Kota Kinabalu on Friday. Dr Sim emphasized that this matter is the most critical in the state's pursuit of healthcare autonomy.

He urged the transfer of regulatory functions from the Ministry of Health (MOH) to the state Health Department (JKNS), in accordance with the MOH White Paper and provisions of the Federal Constitution allowing such delegation. Additionally, Dr Sim highlighted the urgent need to tackle Sarawak's health workforce shortage, with 5,654 vacant posts accounting for 18% of the state's health personnel.

He also proposed creating 11,000 new posts by 2025 to meet MOH staffing norms. Regarding infrastructure, Dr Sim demanded RM310 million to upgrade and RM8.45 billion to rebuild dilapidated Klinik Kesihatan (KK) facilities, noting that 66% of the state's 271 KKs are in a state of disrepair. He stressed that this situation is unjustified, as Sarawak has more KKs than the rest of Malaysia.

Dr Sim acknowledged that health is a complex issue within the MA63 framework, involving 41 laws. He indicated that while some MA63 matters have been resolved, forthcoming negotiations will be more challenging, as some will require constitutional amendments approved by Cabinet and Parliament, and in some cases, the Conference of Rulers.

Dr Sim concluded his remarks by emphasizing the importance of approaching MA63 negotiations with the spirit of the agreement and guidance from the Cobbold Commission and Inter-Governmental Committee reports.