Kota Kinabalu: State Community Development and People’s Well-being Minister, Datuk James Ratib, said 112 clinics for the poor in Sabah need to be upgraded in 2026. At the same time, up to 48 such clinics face demolition and reconstruction.
This year, as many as 25 clinics are involved in new construction and are expected to be completed in November at an estimated cost of RM18.8 million.
Some 33 clinics are involved in upgrading or repair (wiring) and have been fully completed at an estimated cost of RM2.7 million.
“A total of 14 clinics are involved in building upgrades with an estimated total cost of RM10 million,” said James, who is also Sabah Health Exco.
He said reconstruction of the Tangkarason Clinic in Paitan which was destroyed in a fire, has reached 88 per cent completion.
“The estimated cost of the (Tangkarason) clinic building is RM990,000, and was completed last November.
“Medical and non-medical equipment has also been supplied to the clinic with an estimated cost of RM450,000.
James said the involvement of the private and corporate sectors is very important in improving health care services in Sabah and that this needs to be further strengthened.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ministry collaborated with hospitals, clinics, and private laboratories to deal with the increase in cases.
“This collaboration includes the outsourcing of medical services, especially surgeries or procedures for non-Covid-19 patients that have been delayed due to the outbreak.
“This initiative involves 23 MoH hospitals and 31 private hospitals, with an allocation of RM49 million for 3,764 surgeries/procedures in 19 clinical disciplines,” he said.
The Ministry also expanded and strengthened the policy of public-private partnership (PPP) in line with the Health White Paper and the principles of Madani economy.
Meanwhile, he said the PET Scan Project will be re-tendered with a new scope since in the previous tender, no tenderer successfully met the conditions and specifications that had been set in accordance with the provisions that had been set.
