New clinic to bring healthcare to rural Belaga


Remote lifeline: Hasnol Zam Zam (third from left) and Bunyak (third from right) exchanging documents after the MOU signing in Putrajaya. Also present is Dzulkefly (centre) who witnessed the ceremony. — LOW LAY PHON/The Star

PUTRAJAYA: Around 13,000 residents in Sarawak’s Belaga district will soon enjoy easier access to medical services following a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between the Health Ministry and Sarawak Energy Bhd (Sarawak Energy).

Located at Murum Junction, the new Bakun-Murum Health Clinic will feature a support block and four residential quarters for ­medical staff.

Built on land belonging to the Federal Lands Commissioner, it is targeted for completion within the next two years.

Under the agreement, Sarawak Energy will handle the construction of the facility, while the Health Ministry will oversee its management and operations once completed.

“For facilities of this scale, we typically deploy nurses, medical assistants, and doctors where possible.

“The clinic will be equipped to serve about 100 outpatients daily,” said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad after witnessing the MOU exchange at the ministry’s headquarters here yesterday.

The Health Ministry was represented by its secretary-general Datuk Seri Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad while Sarawak Energy was represented by Bunyak Lunyong, the chief executive officer of SEB Power, the group’s generation arm.

Besides residents, the new clinic will also serve Sarawak Energy personnel stationed at the Bakun and Murum hydroelectric plants.

Bunyak said the construction of the new clinic is a meaningful development for the local community as it will provide easier access to quality healthcare services.

It will also allow residents of Bakun and Murum to obtain follow-up treatment and other healthcare services without having to travel long distances to the nearest towns.

“Behind every initiative we undertake, community well-being remains an important guiding principle.

“It reflects our continued commitment to meeting the needs of local communities by supporting the development of a healthcare facility for the benefit of residents in Murum, Bakun and the surrounding areas,” he said.

Also present were Deputy Digital Minister Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong, Sarawak Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Liwan Lagang, and Health Ministry Director-General Datuk Dr Mahathar Abd Wahab.

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