KOTA KINABALU: Health authorities are eyeing improved access to ophthalmology services for remote areas in Sabah and Sarawak, says Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni.
The Health Deputy Minister said eye health generally suffered in rural areas without the coverage enjoyed by urban areas, adding that 1.9% of Sabahans have some form of blindness, mostly cataracts.
He said the ministry aimed to send eye specialists to the east coast Lahad Datu district in Sabah and Sri Aman in Sarawak next year.
"This is very important as we have found that eye health in rural communities is not as good due to limited access to services,” Lukanisman said after launching the national-level World Eyesight Day here on Thursday (Oct 10).
“This is when compared to ophthalmology services available at larger hospitals in urban areas in Sabah, Sarawak, and the peninsula," he added.
Lukanisman said currently, eye specialists were available only at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Sabah Women and Children's Hospital in Likas here, besides the general hospitals in Tawau, Sandakan and Keningau. Meanwhile, Lahad Datu Hospital only has visiting ophthalmologists.
He explained that ophthalmology services required sufficient manpower and related equipment to support the specialist.
He expressed hope that there will be increased funding for health in next year’s federal budget specifically to acquire equipment to improve public healthcare.
Lukanisman also paid tribute to non-governmental organisations like the Lions Club and Rotary Clubs for their efforts to serve the community.
He said this was among the key points the ministry wished to highlight in the health white paper.
"The involvement of the community and private sector is important, as this can assist us reach out even further into remote locations,” he said.
He added the ministry will also ramp up its campaign to educate the public on the importance of caring for their eyes, noting that vision problems can affect everyone and this could impact productivity in the workplace.
