1:1104 doctor-patient ratio in Sarawak
Published on: Thursday, April 23, 2015
Kuching: The doctor-patient ratio is 1:1104 currently in Sarawak which still lacks doctors, said state Public Health Assistant Minister Datuk Dr Jerip Susil.He said the main challenge faced in providing medical services in Sarawak was to dispense efficient and effective health services in line with the requests of the people."This requires more medical officers and specialists to be placed in hospitals and health clinics statewide with sufficient health facilities." he said when replying to Hazland Abang Hipni (BN-Demak Laut) at the Sarawak state legislative assembly here Wednesday.
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Dr Jerip said there were 2,237 doctors serving in Sarawak and, of the total, 1,7759 worked in government hospitals and clinics while 478 with private hospitals and clinics. He said 30 per cent of these doctors were from the peninsular."Due to the lack of doctors in the state, the Health Ministry encourages more doctors from the peninsular to come and serve as well as stay longer," he said.According to Dr Jerip, doctors and medical specialists serving in the state would receive special allowances and could get promoted faster."However this method has its advantages and disadvantages because normally doctors from the peninsular who are promoted while serving in the state will immediately apply to return to the peninsular," he said.
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Meanwhile Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, who is also Sarawak Modernisation of Agriculture Minister, said three permanent food production parks had been implemented by the Sarawak Agriculture Department starting 2009.Replying to Mohammad Razi Sitam (BN-Saribas), he said up to date 29 participants had been involved in bananas, papayas and vegetables cultivation with agricultural produce exceeding five metric ton from January to August last year.
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Jabu said the state government was still studying the need to create a Temenggong post for the Muslim community in Kapit division. Replying to George Lagong (Independent-Pelagus), he said currently the Muslim community in Kapit were being represented by a pemanca and three penghulu.Meanwhile Sarawak Early Childhood and Family Development Assistant Minister Rosey Yunus said the overall average attendance of students for four secondary schools in Telang Usan was higher than the state and national percentage of 95 per cent except for SMK Tutoh Apoh (87.53 per cent).Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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