KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is appealing to the Health Ministry to fill some 210 vacant positions for medical officers at its clinics statewide.
State Community Development and People’s Well-being Minister Datuk James Ratib said it was vital for these positions to be filled to improve health services, especially in rural areas.
He cited the north-eastern district of Beluran as an example, saying that 26 vacancies for doctors there remain unfilled.
He said the Sungai-Sungai Health Clinic in the district was currently run by medical assistants, with three medical officer posts vacant.
"The clinic sees 70 to 90 patients daily," he said in a statement on Tuesday (July 30).
His call came after a three-day working visit to health clinics, maternal and child health clinics, and hospitals.
James visited the Sungai-Sungai and Tangkarason Health Clinics in Paitan, the Beluran Maternal and Child Health Clinic, and Hospital Beluran.
On the construction of the new RM989,000 Tangkarason Health Clinic, he said it was behind schedule at only 30% completion.
“I am given to understand that the delay is due to rainy weather during site preparation," he said, adding that the project could be completed by October or November.
The clinic was being rebuilt after a fire destroyed the original wooden building in February.
He said a temporary clinic was operating at the Kampung Tangkarason mini hall with limited facilities.
