Urban clinics also need urgent upgrades, not just rural facilities
James (seated right) with the ministry's officers during the Hari Raya open house on Monday.
KOTA KINABALU (Apr 28): Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib has stressed that the Federal Government must prioritize upgrading infrastructure in government health clinics located in urban areas, not just in rural regions.
Speaking at his ministry's Hari Raya Aidilfitri Open House here on Monday, James acknowledged that facilities in both rural and urban clinics were facing significant issues.
'We are fully aware that the facilities are lacking not only in rural areas but also in urban areas,' he said.
He noted that upon his appointment as Health Exco in Sabah, the very first issue he raised at the Health Exco meeting in Putrajaya was the poor condition of many government clinics across the state.
'I highlighted during the meeting that the Malaysian Ministry of Health Training Institute (ILKTM), which was taken over by the Federal Ministry of Health in 2015, had not been properly upgraded. Their mattresses and pillows, for instance, had not been replaced for 20 years. I personally informed the minister and the director-general about this,' he said.
'Alhamdulillah, the minister and director-general responded immediately,' he added.
James said the government has since been actively working to replace dilapidated wooden rural clinics with new concrete structures, marking significant progress over the past two years.
'If we look across all districts, more than 100 clinics have been built throughout Sabah. This is part of the government's mission to ensure better healthcare infrastructure for the people,' he said.
He emphasized that both the Sabah and Federal governments are committed to assessing the needs on the ground and making necessary upgrades, including providing clinics with reliable electricity, water, and solar energy supplies.
'This issue has been going on for a long time, but only now are we seeing real progress. Alhamdulillah, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (PMX) has listened to our grievances,' he said.
James also urged all heads of departments (HODs) to be proactive in identifying problems and reporting them promptly.
'I have warned all directors and HODs, go down to the ground. Inform the minister … Tell the minister what the problems are so that we can solve them,' he said.
Addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals, James admitted that Sabah is facing a serious shortage of doctors, particularly specialists. However, he credited the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, for their ongoing efforts to tackle the problem.
'Please do not say that the ministers are not working. Our ministers are indeed working hard for the people,' he said.
James's remarks come in response to recent comments by Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Api-Api information chief Yee Tsai Yiew, who urged the Federal Government to address the poor conditions of government clinics in the city.
Yee had highlighted that patients often face difficulties due to outdated and poorly maintained clinic facilities, including cramped waiting areas that force many to wait outside for treatment.
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