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Kota Kinabalu: The issue of dilapidated health clinics or facilities in Sabah, whether in urban or rural areas, continues to receive serious attention from the State Government in efforts to strengthen the healthcare system in the State.  

State Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib, who is also Sabah Health Exco, said outdated facilities that had not been maintained for decades are among factors contributing to the shortage of specialist doctors in the State.  

“We realise that facilities are lacking not only in rural but also urban areas, and many need upgrading.  

“That is why when I attended the Exco meeting in Putrajaya, the first issue I raised was the poor condition of our clinics, whether in town or rural areas,” he said after attending his Ministry’s Hari Raya event at Wisma Tun Fuad Stephens, here, Monday.  

James said one clear example is the condition of the Health Ministry Training Institute (ILKKM), which had been taken over by the Federal Government, but had seen no improvements.  

“I mentioned during the Exco meeting that the ILKKM, which has been under Federal management since 2015, has not undergone any upgrade. Their mattresses and pillows have not been replaced for 20 years.  

“I informed the Minister and the Director-General that if the mattresses and beds at ILKKM, whether in Tawau, Sandakan or Kota Kinabalu, are not replaced, we will take back management and return it to the Sabah Health Department (JKNS),” he said.  

James added that this firm action bore fruit when immediate steps were taken to improve the comfort of ILKKM trainees.  

“Alhamdulillah, the Minister and the Director-General heard our concerns, and action was taken immediately. As a result, all ILKKMs are very happy to have received around 1,350 new mattresses and beds,” he said.  

James said over the past two years, many old clinics in Sabah have been replaced with concrete buildings, including those in remote areas that were previously built from wood and on the verge of collapse.  

“Previously, the structures were near collapse as they were made from very old wood. However, over the past two years, more than 100 wooden health clinics across Sabah have been replaced with concrete structures,” he said.  

James acknowledged that the shortage of doctors in the State is largely due to weak infrastructure such as water and electricity supply.  

“Alhamdulillah, the Government has now upgraded all clinics with electricity supply, installed solar systems and provided water supply, leading to improvements in the situation.  

“I believe many more health facilities still need to be replaced with new ones, and over the past two years, I have been very busy visiting all health facilities across the State,” he said.  

He stressed that all department heads and directors must go to the ground to identify real issues faced on-site instead of relying on the Minister to investigate personally.  

“That is why I have warned all directors: please go to the ground and report the problems to the Minister, so that we can find solutions,” he said.