Sarawak wants autonomy to hire healthcare workers

Dr Sim posing with conference participants on May 5. – BERNAMApic

KUCHING: The Sarawak government is seeking autonomy to employ and place public-sector healthcare workers across the state, says Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian.

This was among the proposals submitted to the Health Ministry in preparation for the Health White Paper, said Dr Sim, who is also state Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister.

"That is why it is so important (to have) autonomy (over) human resources. We not only want to be equivalent, but we also want the power so that (the Federal Government) can tell us the number (of workers) proposed and Sarawak will employ them," he said.

Dr Sim told a press conference after the International Day of the Midwife Conference 2023 here on Friday (May 5) that granting this autonomy would help the state improve its current ratio of one nurse to every 342 patients.

In January, Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the Health White Paper would be tabled in Parliament during its second sitting, expected to be held from May 22 to June 15.

Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni was also reported to have said that all suggestions made by the Sarawak government would be taken into consideration in its preparation. – Bernama