Kota Kinabalu: State Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib is pushing for rural doctors’ allowances in Sabah and Sarawak to be exempt from the current Federal freeze.
He said he would present the proposal to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad during a meeting scheduled here today (Thursday), citing concerns that the frozen allowances could worsen the State’s existing doctor shortage in rural areas.
“We are already facing a shortage of doctors serving in rural areas. If their allowances remain frozen, many doctors may not renew their government contracts, which would severely impact Sabah,” he told reporters after officiating the 17th Public Health Colloquium, here, Wednesday.
He pointed out the disparity between urban and rural postings, noting that while both face the same allowance freeze, rural doctors work in areas lacking basic infrastructure, including wifi access, clean water supply and electricity.
For the record, according to State Health Director Dr Maria Suleiman, Sabah currently has 2,981 permanent doctors and specialists, with an additional 1,072 on contract.
On healthcare infrastructure improvements, James revealed that around 30 remaining wooden health clinics Statewide will be replaced with concrete structures, expected to be completed next year.
He said during his two-and-a-half-year tenure, about 100 dilapidated wooden clinics have been upgraded.
He also disclosed ongoing efforts to acquire Sabah’s first Positron Emission Tomography scanner for cancer detection and monitoring.
The machine, currently under tender process and expected to arrive this year, will be installed at the Sabah Women and Children’s Hospital, eliminating the need for patients to travel to Sarawak for scans that cost up to RM3,000.
Additionally, he called for improved regulation of electronic cigarettes, citing concerns about illegal substance contamination.
He said he could only make recommendations to the Health Ministry to improve regulations on vape-related matters.
“I will recommend improvements in advisory measures to prevent indiscriminate vaping, a study to control (the manufacturing of vape products) and to determine whether they are laced with drugs.
“If the vape liquid contains drugs, the responsible individuals should be arrested,” he said.
On banning the sale of vapes, James said the jurisdiction lied with the Local Government and Housing Ministry.
Perlis, Terengganu, Kelantan, Johor and Kedah have banned the sale of vape products.
