KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah’s healthcare capacity must be reassessed and expanded based on actual ground demand rather than static facility classifications, the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) on Health told the Dewan Rakyat.
Debating the PSSC’s report on its working visit to Sabah on Monday (Oct 5), committee member Young Syefura Othman (PH-Bentong) stressed that population growth, rising patient numbers, and expanding medical needs have stretched existing infrastructure far beyond its intended limits.
“Capacity that was sufficient at one point may no longer be adequate today,” Young Syefura said, adding that true capacity includes space, working assets, utilities, and support services needed to deliver safe care.
Young Syefura also highlighted severe manpower shortages in Sabah and Sarawak that leave many facilities unable to operate at full capacity.
“This is a very serious concern, especially in hospitals operating with only three medical officers,” she noted, urging the Health Ministry to introduce dignified incentive schemes and allowances to attract and retain healthcare workers in rural areas.
To address regional healthcare needs effectively, the committee recommended developing major projects, including the Sabah Paediatric Institute, Sabah Heart Centre, Penampang Hospital, and Queen Elizabeth Hospital upgrades, as an interconnected service network rather than isolated developments.
She added that long-term solutions should incorporate preventative measures, such as water fluoridation to lower dental treatment demands, and digital health initiatives to streamline clinical workflows.
Calling for the committee's 12 recommendations to be implemented as a coordinated package, Young Syefura emphasised that healthcare development in East Malaysia must reflect local geographical and demographic realities.
“The development of healthcare in Sabah is not merely about adding facilities—it is about building the capacity of the system as a whole so every component functions as an effective service network,” she said.
