KUCHING: Six cases of rabies in humans have been reported in Sarawak so far this year, compared to eight cases in 2024, the state legislative assembly heard.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said four cases were reported in Kuching and two in Bintulu.
He said this brought the total cases to 89 since the outbreak began in 2017.
"The Sarawak Health Department is committed to controlling the human rabies cases in collaboration with other relevant departments," he said in his winding-up speech on Wednesday (Dec 3).
Dr Sim also said 19,444 animal bite cases were recorded as of Nov 22 this year, a slight increase from 18,564 cases last year.
He said most of the bite cases involved cats, comprising 62.3%, compared to dogs (36.5%).
On healthcare development projects, Dr Sim said the federal Health Ministry allocated RM52.8mil this year for the upgrading, renovation and repair of health clinics in Sarawak.
Of the total, he said RM40mil was under the Bitara Madani initiative for dilapidated clinics, RM7.5mil for rural clinic services, RM1.3mil for upgrading and repairing quarters and RM4mil for the Long Semadoh health clinic's solar hybrid project.
He further said an additional RM50mil was allocated for six dilapidated health facility projects, comprising health clinics in Lundu, Selangau, Lawas, Subis and Sri Aman and the isolation ward at the Sarawak General Hospital's emergency and trauma department.
"Currently, all these projects are in the pre-implementation stage and tender procurement will be called after the design is completed by the Sarawak Public Works Department," Dr Sim said.
In addition, two new clinics at Nanga Atoi and Nanga Ngungun were approved under the Rintis project initiative with a total estimated cost of RM12.8mil.
"Both clinics are currently under construction, with Nanga Atoi expected to be completed by the end of this year and Nanga Ngungun by the third quarter of 2026," he said.
On the new Hospital Lawas project, Dr Sim said it remained on schedule with overall physical progress at 96% as of Oct 25.
He said the hospital's main building was expected to be completed and operational in the second half of next year.
"Currently, there are five approved specialist posts for Hospital Lawas: a physician, surgeon, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics and anaesthesiologist.
"Of these, only the physician's post is filled," he added.
