Kota Kinabalu: Sungai Manila Assemblyman Datuk Mokran Ingkat has called on the government to fast-track the long-delayed Sungai Manila Health Centre project, stressing its importance in easing congestion at Sandakan’s Duchess of Kent Hospital (HDOK).
“I appreciate the Health Minister’s explanation that there is no immediate need to build a new hospital in Sandakan, and that the focus will be on strengthening HDOK by adding specialists and constructing a new block,” he said.
“However, if the government is serious about reducing overcrowding at HDOK, the most effective solution is to expedite long-delayed health centre projects, especially the Sungai Manila Health Centre.”
Mokran pointed out that the project has been stalled for years despite its clear potential to handle basic medical cases, reduce patient overload at HDOK, and improve access to healthcare in rural areas.
“With a fully equipped and functioning health centre in Sungai Manila, many patients would no longer need to queue at HDOK for minor or follow-up treatments. This would allow the hospital to focus on cases requiring specialist care,” he explained.
He added that the government must not continue discussing the strengthening of primary healthcare while allowing key infrastructure projects like the Sungai Manila Health Centre to remain incomplete.
“I urge the Health Ministry and implementing agencies to prioritise this project immediately, allocate additional funds if necessary, and set a clear, non-negotiable completion timeline.
“Accelerating the Sungai Manila Health Centre aligns with the government’s primary healthcare policy and represents a tangible step towards improving public health services,” he stressed.
