Kota Kinabalu: The State Government welcomes potential investors interested to set up a private hospital in Sandakan, given the need for more healthcare professionals there.State Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib said in turn, his Ministry would assist in acquiring the necessary licences to do so.
“My Ministry, through the Sabah Health Department (JKNS), is aware of the need to increase medical experts in Sabah, including Sandakan,” he said during question time at the State Legislative Assembly sitting, here, Tuesday.
He was responding to Tanjong Papat Assemblyman Datuk Frankie Poon Ming Fung who asked what the Government’s initiatives were to increase and retain healthcare specialists in Sabah, especially Sandakan.
James acknowledged that there is a need for more heart specialists and surgeons, adding that 11 out 24 hospitals in Sabah will be seeing an increase of medical experts.
“To retain medical experts in Sabah, especially in Sandakan, various incentives have been provided by his Ministry through the Malaysian Health Ministry (MOH),” he added.
He said this includes the Specialist Placement Payment Incentive (BIPP) (maximum RM2,500 according to grade) and Regional Housing Allowance (EPW) (maximum RM2,000 according to grade) for Sabah and Sarawak.
“At the same time, specialist doctors are also given the opportunity to carry out specialist services in private facilities according to the regulations of MOH.
“However, there are indeed difficulties in retaining specialist doctors in hospitals due to various factors such as the commitment of families of those from outside Sabah,” he said.
To a supplementary question by Senallang Assemblyman Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal who asked what the State Government’s steps were to overcome the issue of doctors resigning, James said it would first require addressing the issue of permanent contract jobs for doctors.
“I am aware of this matter, as when I visit the hospitals, I have seen there are not enough officers.
“It is because they are resigning. Why do they resign? It is because they are not offered permanent jobs.
“This is not the MOH’s fault, as it is a matter of employing civil servants. MOH has no power to confirm their jobs. The power lies with the Public Services Department (JPA),” said James.
Earlier, Shafie had highlighted that to date, a total of 131 doctors have resigned in Sabah just this year alone.
