Sabah urges Federal action on CT PET Scan, heart centre

Borneo Post

11-06-2025

James receives a memento from Dr Maria.
KOTA KINABALU (June 11): The Federal Ministry of Health has been urged to expedite the delivery of a CT PET scan machine to Sabah to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment in the state.
Sabah Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib stressed that the equipment is vital for detecting and managing cancers, especially women's cancers, which are on the rise.
'I have repeatedly reminded the Ministry that delays in providing this equipment lead to increased cancer cases every month and every year, as we are unable to detect cancer at an early stage,' he said during the 17th Sabah Health Department Public Health Colloquium 2025, held at the Hilton Hotel on Wednesday.
This year's colloquium carries the theme 'Aligning SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) for a Sustainable and Healthier Future for All,' addressing both current and future health challenges.
Speaking at a press conference later, James said he has been actively lobbying for the CT PET scan machine to be allocated to Sabah. He highlighted that cancer patients currently have to travel to Sarawak or Peninsular Malaysia for the scan, which costs about RM3,000 per session.
'This places a burden on our people. If we had the CT PET scan here, it could be provided free of charge and help reduce cancer incidence through earlier detection. A site has already been prepared at the Likas Women and Children's Hospital,' he added.
James also praised the GRS-PH state government under Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor for contributing 100 dialysis machines to the Health Ministry, which will be distributed across Sabah's hospitals and clinics.
He further called on the Federal ministry to accelerate the construction and upgrading of facilities at the Sabah Heart Institute at Queen Elizabeth Hospital II, following a RM80 million allocation announced by the Prime Minister.
'Heart disease is widespread in rural areas like Pitas. I've seen the facilities in Serdang Hospital, where heart specialists are abundant, but Sabah still lacks such expertise,' he said.
James voiced concern about the shortage of heart specialists in Sabah and urged the government to retain those already serving, warning that equipment alone is useless without skilled professionals to operate it.
He also plans to meet the Federal Health Minister on Thursday to discuss rural doctors' allowances. He urged for exemptions from the federal allowance freeze for doctors in Sabah and Sarawak.
'Many rural doctors want to leave. There's no difference in allowance between rural and urban postings. In some areas, there's no electricity, no clean water, not even a way to charge a phone. Doctors have to travel into town just to do that,' he explained.
James proposed eliminating all wooden clinics in Sabah by 2026, noting that around 30 such clinics remain.
'These old buildings are an embarrassment — some lack proper staircases or sanitation,' he said.
He described the poor conditions of rural doctors' hostels as 'resembling pigsties,' with decades-old cushions still in use.
'West Malaysians don't want to work in areas where they can't even charge their phones. Who would, except Sabahans themselves?'
Expressing frustration, he asked, 'What have the past ministers done? Are they unaware of the rural plight?
Even medical assistants have to act as doctors because we lack personnel willing to serve in remote areas.'
Nonetheless, he expressed gratitude to Peninsular Malaysia doctors who choose to serve in Sabah.
'Don't be racist and say you're from Peninsular Malaysia. If they didn't come, our clinics and hospitals would shut down,' he said.
James emphasized the need for stronger cooperation between state and federal agencies, particularly the Health Ministry, noting historical coordination issues.
He also gave an update on Tawau hospital facilities, stating improvements have been made, and the heart centre there is expected to be operational soon.
Regarding the Ministry of Health's Training Institute (ILKKM), James noted that longstanding issues have been addressed.
'I criticised the ministry for neglecting it since 2016 — beds were in terrible condition. But thanks to persistence, 1,350 mattresses and beds have now been provided nationwide.'
He concluded by urging Health Department staff to remain enthusiastic and prepared for increasingly complex public health challenges, particularly in light of Malaysia's ageing population.
'Malaysia is expected to become an ageing nation by 2030, with 15% of the population aged 60 and above,' he noted. 'There are more elderly now because they've learned to take care of their health.'
Also present at the event was Sabah Health Department director Dr Maria Suleiman.