{
  "id": 17217016,
  "title": "Sarawak doubles Unimas medical intake to produce more local doctors",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/sarawak-doubles-unimas-medical-intake-to-produce-more-local-doctors",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-30T11:16:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/10/1567126/sarawak-doubles-unimas-medical-intake-produce-more-local-doctors"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUCHING: Sarawak has doubled the number of medical students at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) from 40 to 80 as part of efforts to increase local doctor production and tackle the state's shortage of medical personnel. This move, announced by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg, aims to address a shortfall of over 1,000 doctors in the region. The Premier discussed the decision with UNIMAS vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit to enhance the university's capacity to produce more doctors. The government will prioritize the enrollment of Sarawakians through Yayasan Sarawak sponsorship to ensure more local students can pursue medical studies. Abang Johari emphasized the need to produce doctors from among Sarawakians to serve in their home state, noting that some doctors had failed to report for duty in Sarawak, particularly those from the peninsula. The state government is also planning to introduce a medical program at Universiti Teknologi Sarawak (UTS) in Sibu, though this proposal is still in the preparatory stage and requires further assessment to meet academic and international standards. Preparations for the UTS program would take at least two years, including recruiting qualified lecturers, providing teaching facilities, and establishing collaborations with other recognized universities.",
  "summary": "KUCHING: Sarawak will double the intake of new medical students at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) from 40 to 80 as part of efforts to produce more local doctors and address the state's shortage of medical personnel.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Sarawak govt to double places for medical students at Unimas",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/sarawak-govt-to-double-places-for-medical-students-at-unimas",
        "published": "2026-10-30T13:10:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}