KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is grappling with a significant doctor shortage, requiring more than 9,300 to meet the national doctor–patient ratio standard.
The state legislative assembly was told that Sabah currently has only 3,431 government doctors and 1,397 in private practice.
State Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk Julita Mojungki said this left a shortfall of 4,526 doctors, with the state’s ratio standing at 1:775 compared with the national target of 1:400.
“The lack of specialists remains a pressing challenge across hospitals statewide,” she said when winding up debates on the Yang di-Pertua Negeri’s opening speech.
Julita said the government is committed to strengthening specialist training and retention.
“Sabah’s hospitals face a real challenge in specialist manpower. We are encouraging medical officers to pursue advanced training, while also providing incentives to attract and retain talent in the state,” she said.
Measures include expanded training award scholarships for Sabah-based medical officers, financial support under the Inland Placement Incentive Payment (BIPP) for specialists posted in Sabah and Sarawak, and a renewed appeal for the Regional Incentive Payment (BIW), a special allowance previously abolished by the Public Service Department.
Relocation claim facilities for doctors appointed permanently after serving on contract—covering transport, travel and related allowances—are also in place.
“These steps are designed to ease the burden of relocation, attract specialists, and ensure that Sabahans have access to quality healthcare services,” Julita said.
Meanwhile, she said the upgrading of Queen Elizabeth II Hospital into the National Heart Centre for Sabah is now in the preliminary design and cost assessment stage. Once completed, it would provide cardiac care within the state.
“This initiative is not just about infrastructure. It is about ensuring Sabahans have access to specialist treatment without having to travel outside the state. It marks a turning point in our healthcare system,” she said.
Julita also disclosed that RM4.5mil under Phase 2 of the SMJ “Sabah Sejahtera” Health Assistance Scheme was set to benefit 2,219 dialysis patients from May 2026.
She said the completion of the RM32.76mil Sabah Dental Specialist Centre in Kota Kinabalu in December last year would provide orthodontic, periodontic, restorative and public dental health services.
She added that approval of RM92mil for the Sabah Blood Centre was expected to double annual blood collection capacity to 120,000 units by 2029, serving Sabah, Labuan and Limbang.
Procurement for two MRI machines worth RM18mil for the Sabah Women and Children’s Hospital and Queen Elizabeth II Hospital was also under way.
“These developments show our commitment to strengthening healthcare facilities across Sabah, ensuring that services are not only expanded but also brought closer to the people,” Julita said.
