{
  "id": 7281951,
  "title": "New Lawas Hospital expected to evolve into specialist centre to cut long‑distance referrals, says deputy health minister",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/new-lawas-hospital-expected-to-evolve-into-specialist-centre-to-cut",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-14T08:40:24.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/09/14/new-lawas-hospital-expected-to-evolve-into-specialist-centre-to-cut-longdistance-referrals-says-deputy-health-minister/235183"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Lawas, on September 14, the newly constructed 76-bed Lawas Hospital is anticipated to transform into a specialised medical facility, potentially diminishing the necessity for residents to seek treatment at distant hospitals. Deputy Health Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib indicated that staffing shortages are currently impeding the hospital's full functionality. She expressed optimism that medical specialists will soon be permanently stationed at the hospital, eliminating the need for scheduled visits to other locations. Taib lamented the challenges faced by locals in accessing specialist care, as they had to previously travel considerable distances. The hospital is outfitted with two operating theatres, a patient kitchen, an ICT lab for remote consultations with specialists, nine hemodialysis machines, and 76 beds, including four in the High Dependency Ward. Taib emphasized the significance of providing comprehensive healthcare facilities in Lawas due to the region's geographical constraints. Prior to the hospital's establishment, patients needing specialist referrals had to travel approximately 1.5 hours to Limbang or around 3.5 hours to Miri. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, also present at the ceremony, highlighted that the RM183 million Lawas Hospital project was initiated by the Public Works Department's Special Project Team 2 on June 30, 2020, employing a Design and Build approach managed by MCS Management Sdn Bhd. He expressed confidence that the hospital would enhance access to high-quality healthcare services and contribute to raising the standard of healthcare delivery in Lawas.",
  "summary": "LAWAS, Sept 14 — The new 76-bed Lawas Hospital is expected to evolve into a specialist hospital, thereby reducing...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "New Lawas Hospital expected to evolve into specialist centre to cut long‑distance referrals, says deputy health minister",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/new-lawas-hospital-expected-to-evolve-into-specialist-centre-to-cut-7283150",
        "published": "2026-09-14T08:40:24.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}