KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s sole medical school has been urged to increase its intake of locals to learn medicine in the state.
Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) Sabah Branch chairman Dr Brandon Patrick Senagang said at the moment, only Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) has its own medical school, so it should assist in initiatives to increase local intakes.
He said this could help address Sabah’s doctor shortage issues in future if more students from Sabah are given the chance to study medicine here.
He said the state should also look into establishing its own private medical school as many Sabahans are interested in medicine.
“But the cost and competitiveness of entering medical school is something that pushes a lot of students away,” said Dr Brandon when contacted.
“I am sure many students from rural areas would also like to pursue medicine if given the chance,” he said in response to Sarawak’s announcement that it would double the intake of new medical students at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) as part of efforts to address the state’s shortage of medical personnel.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg had said this initiative is part of the state’s long-term plan to resolve a shortfall of over 1,000 doctors.
However, Dr Brandon highlighted the importance of nurturing interest as well as students’ capability to take up the subject from a young age, because the preparation has to come early.
This means improving access to education through better infrastructure and also providing adequate hostels to accommodate students from rural areas, he said.
A former government doctor, Dr Istefan Koh, recalled that UMS had a similar plan in 2024 to increase annual student intake from 90 to 150, though he is unsure of current developments.
However, with the current requirements, this is not helping much, he said, explaining that the ratio of doctor-to-population is widening further from approximately 1:775 (one doctor to 775 patients) to 1:856, which falls significantly short of Malaysia’s national target of 1:400.
He believes it is not talent that is lacking in Sabah, but rather poor infrastructure and access for those deep in the interior.
Dr Koh, who is Parti Warisan Health Bureau chief, suggested Sabah introduce a medical incentive package, which includes state service allowance and remote area allowance, as well as providing better opportunities for postgraduate education and specialisation to retain more doctors.
