KUCHING: Sarawak will seek a comprehensive solution to the shortage of doctors in the state, with better policies, career development opportunities and incentives to attract and retain medical officers, says Deputy Premier Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian.
Dr Sim, who is also state Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister, said he shared the Malaysian Medical Association’s (MMA) concern over reports of high “no-show” rates among medical officers appointed to permanent posts in Sabah and Sarawak.
However, he said incentives or allowances to attract and retain these medical officers, as proposed by the MMA, were only one component of the issue.
“It’s not just a matter of money. Part of it has to do with policy.
“For example, if you come to Sarawak, sometimes you are disadvantaged when it comes to getting postgraduate training, whereas in Peninsular Malaysia you have a much better chance.
“So I think it’s oversimplifying the issue to say it’s about money,” he said yesterday.
On Thursday, MMA president Dr Sivanaesan Letchumanan highlighted reports claiming that a number of medical officers failed to report for their permanent postings on Sept 28.
Some facilities reportedly did not receive new medical officers while others recorded no-show rates of between 70 and 76%, he said in a statement.
As of May this year, Sarawak’s healthcare sector reportedly faced 5,738 vacancies across existing approved posts under the Health Ministry.
Dr Sim said Sarawak will propose to the ministry that the state be allowed to employ doctors, including international medical graduates from Malaysian universities who are currently generally not permitted to undertake housemanship in the country.
He said the Sarawak Medical Committee, established under the Malaysian Medical Council in 2024, could oversee their employment.
“That’s why Manipal (University College Malaysia) came to see me.
“They have 400 students graduating a year, including 100 international graduates, who cannot be employed in Malaysia.
“Let Sarawak employ them. We are short of doctors; where are you going to find 100 doctors straightaway?” he added.
Dr Sim also said he would meet Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad to discuss the matter and work towards a comprehensive solution to the shortage of medical personnel.
He said Sarawak is also looking at technology-based solutions, including AI-assisted healthcare, telehealth services and drones to address the issue.
In addition, he said the state government had allocated more than RM3bil to build new quarters for both state and federal civil servants.
The move would help address housing needs among medical officers and make postings in the state more attractive, he said.
