6 days ago
Only two cardiologists in Sabah for 4 million people, Dewan told
KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah, Malaysia's second-largest state with a population of four million, has only two cardiologists, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
While debating on the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) Datuk Lo Su Fui (GRS-Tawau) said this shortage has resulted in some heart patients dying while waiting for treatment.
Lo proposed two solutions to address the issue.
The first is to increase the number of medical institutions, universities, and student intakes for medical fields in Sabah to encourage specialist doctors to remain in the state.
"Second, is to use external resources for health services in private hospitals and clinics by charging the people a rate equivalent to government hospitals," he said.
He said government hospitals cannot currently meet the healthcare needs of the entire population.
"This suggestion will not burden government finances and will be much cheaper, because there is no need for machine maintenance, hospital construction, and additional staff.
"This effort will also improve the standards and opportunities for doctors in the medical field without them having to leave Malaysia," he said.
