KUCHING: A state-owned medical faculty is in the pipeline for Sarawak, with a feasibility study set to be carried out next year.
State Deputy Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee (pic) said the University of Technology Sarawak had been tasked with conducting the study, which is a key requirement for the state to apply for a licence to operate the faculty.
He said members of the feasibility group were expected to be appointed by December and to begin work in January.
“By June, they should submit the report to us. The state government will study the report, and then we will move forward with it,” he told reporters at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly yesterday.
Dr Annuar said setting up Sarawak’s own medical school would enable more Sarawakians to study medicine and help address the critical shortage of doctors in the state.
“The problem in Sarawak is not only the number of Sarawakians accepted to study medicine.
“This year, 54% of the doctors posted to Sarawak did not turn up. One reason is that they don’t want to go to Sarawak, so I’m sure they’re not Sarawakians.
“Hopefully, by setting up our own medical school, Sarawakians will train locally and serve our people.”
Earlier, Dr Annuar said Sarawak was short of 1,871 medical officers, 246 specialists and 2,300 nurses.
He said the feasibility study would assess the demand for an undergraduate medical school and evaluate the capacity of state-owned institutions in terms of manpower and infrastructure.
“It will determine the financial capability, which is important in terms of capital and recurring costs, and propose a financing plan,” he told Safiee Ahmad (GPS-Daro) during question time.
In addition, the study will look into the regulations and procedures of the Higher Education Ministry, Malaysian Medical Council and Malaysian Qualifications Agency.
“It will also recommend a roadmap in terms of implementation, accreditation and student intake,” Dr Annuar added.
