Kota Kinabalu: Nominated assemblyman Datuk Chin Shu Ying has called for more healthcare personnel at Queen Elizabeth Hospital II (QEH II), saying manpower shortages are preventing the hospital from fully utilising its facilities.
Speaking during the debate on the Supplementary Supply Bill 2026 at the State Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, he said only 284 of the hospital's 400 beds are currently operational because of insufficient staffing despite rising demand for specialist care.
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Chin said QEH II's bed occupancy rate consistently exceeds 80 per cent, with annual admissions ranging between 12,000 and 12,500 patients, resulting in a shrinking staff-to-patient ratio and increasing workloads for healthcare workers.
He said investments in infrastructure and medical equipment would have limited impact without enough doctors, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, laboratory technologists, radiographers and other healthcare personnel to operate the facilities.
Chin urged the State Government to work closely with the Federal Government and the Ministry of Health to prioritise additional posts for QEH II, saying adequate human capital is essential to realise plans for the hospital to become Sabah's Heart Centre.
