{
  "id": 12720877,
  "title": "Sabah, Sarawak healthcare workers set to get boost",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/sabah-sarawak-healthcare-workers-set-to-get-boost",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-07T22:00:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/10/1550106/sabah-sarawak-healthcare-workers-set-get-boost"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The New Straits Times reports that healthcare workers in Sabah and Sarawak are set to receive a significant boost through a series of immediate measures aimed at strengthening the healthcare workforce. Senator Dr R. A. Lingeshwaran has proposed improved incentives, clearer career pathways, and greater family support for doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dental officers, and other critical personnel. Key proposals include a standard 24-month service term, performance-based transfers and training opportunities, a percentage-based Regional Incentive Payment, and a hardship allowance of at least RM1,000 monthly for rural and remote postings. Dr Lingeshwaran also emphasized the need for reasonable doctor-patient ratios, manageable on-call duties, and access to annual leave and replacement staff. The proposal extends beyond doctors to include other essential healthcare professionals and aims to make service in Sabah and Sarawak fairer, more attractive, and sustainable for healthcare professionals.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}