KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah state government and the Health Ministry are pushing for continuous upgrades to local medical infrastructure and public safety measures to address regional accessibility challenges and combat the proliferation of illegal health products.
“The health and safety of the people cannot and will never be compromised. The use of illegal medicines can pose serious health risks, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor when officiating the 2026 Borneo Zone TOBaTS (Reject Illegal Medicines) Roadshow at Dewan Seri Sulaman in Tuaran on Saturday (Sept 5).
He also outlined priorities to expand specialised healthcare across the region. Key development goals include increasing the number of specialist doctors, constructing additional medical facilities, and overcoming geographic barriers to reach remote populations. Among these initiatives is an ongoing partnership between the Yayasan Sabah Group and IJN Sdn Bhd to build a specialised heart hospital in Kota Kinabalu to expand regional cardiac care.
The roadshow also highlights joint efforts by federal and state health authorities to curb the growing online trade of unregistered cosmetics, dietary supplements, and unlicensed pharmaceuticals.
Hajiji said digital platforms have accelerated the spread of misleading health claims and dangerous products that bypass standard safety, quality, and efficacy checks.
Health officials warned that unapproved medicines carry severe operational and public health risks, including organ damage and fatal complications, emphasising that enforcement actions must be paired with public education to reduce market demand.
