Latest news with #SabahCommunityDevelopmentandPeople'sWellbeing
Daily Express
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Express
Only 23pc pharmacists in Sabah hospitals Sabahans: Call for UMS to address situation
Published on: Monday, August 04, 2025 Published on: Mon, Aug 04, 2025 Text Size: The conference participants in a group photo. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib hopes to see more Sabahans employed as pharmacists in view of only 23 per cent currently serving government hospitals and clinics in the State being Sabah-borns. Speaking at the 36th Sabah State Pharmacy Conference at Le Meridien from Aug. 1-3, James said many pharmacies across Kota Kinabalu and other districts are also operated by non-Sabahans. To address this, James advocated for a policy requiring at least 70 per cent of community pharmacies to be owned by Sabahans. He said the proposal is not merely an economic measure, but a matter of health sovereignty for the State in view of growing concerns about lack of local representation in critical healthcare services. Deputy Health (Pharmacy) Director Dr Liau Siow Yen represented the Minister at the official opening. He said one way to address the problem is to set up a School of Pharmacy at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) increase investment in local talent development as well as provide more scholarships for Sabahans to pursue pharmacy studies. He noted the important role pharmacists play as vital guardians of medication management and key players in the healthcare system. He also spoke about the importance of ensuring continuous medicine supply, quality assurance of pharmaceuticals and primary care provision. James also advocated for stronger collaboration between public and private sector pharmacists in follow-up therapy, health screening and patient education, describing such partnerships as essential for improving treatment outcomes and medication adherence. The three-day conference, organised jointly by the Sabah Pharmaceutical Society and Sabah State Health Ministry's Pharmacy Services Division, brought together pharmacists from across Malaysia under the theme 'Think Health, Think Pharmacist'. The event featured sessions on artificial intelligence applications in healthcare, neuro-linguistic programming, military pharmacy experiences and human resources workshops. Delegates from Labuan, Pahang and Terengganu joined local pharmacists for the comprehensive programme. The conference also included community outreach activities, with pharmacists conducting home medication reviews at Holy Family Residence in Papar, demonstrating the profession's expanding role in direct patient care and community service. The event concluded with a healthcare exhibition showcasing industry innovations and fostering collaboration between practitioners and stakeholders. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
30-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Express
Kota Marudu hospital upgrades radiology services with MDCT scanner
Published on: Monday, June 30, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 30, 2025 By: Patimang Abdul Ghani Text Size: James (fourth from right) and Dr Abd Kahar (third from right) after officiating the opening of the Radiology Department building and launching the use of the MDCT Scanner at Kota Marudu Hospital. KOTA MARUDU: Kota Marudu Hospital now has a dedicated Radiology Department building equipped with a Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT) scanner, expected to significantly improve diagnostic services for patients from Kota Marudu, Pitas, and Kudat – a population of over 192,000. Sabah Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib said the addition will reduce reliance on specialist hospitals in Kota Kinabalu, which previously handled 1,500–1,800 CT scan referrals annually from the three districts. 'This technology speeds up diagnosis and improves accuracy, allowing patients to receive earlier and more effective treatment,' he said at the launch ceremony on Monday. James also announced the delivery of eight hemodialysis machines under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Health Aid Scheme: four to Kudat Hospital, two each to Kota Marudu and Pitas Hospitals. A total of 100 units have been donated statewide to boost rural dialysis access. 'These contributions ease financial burdens on patients and improve their quality of life, especially in remote areas,' he added. Also present were Sabah Health Department Deputy Director Datuk Dr Abd Kahar Abd Asis, and local assemblymen Datuk Mohammad Mohamarin (Banggi), Datuk Hendrus Anding (Tandek), and Kota Marudu district officer Meirin Sugara. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
New Straits Times
12-06-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Dzulkefly: Govt may exempt Sabah, Sarawak doctors from rural allowance freeze
KOTA KINABALU: The Health Ministry will consider exempting medical doctors in Sabah and Sarawak from the freeze on rural allowances. Its minister, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, said the issue would be raised at the upcoming cabinet meeting. The freeze was implemented following the tabling of Budget 2025 as part of the Finance Ministry's fiscal consolidation strategy. "This issue was raised during my visit here, and we have taken it very seriously. "We will table the matter at the Cabinet meeting and examine it thoroughly," he said during the handover of 100 haemodialysis machines from the Sabah government to the Health Ministry at Queen Elizabeth Hospital II today. He was responding to concerns raised by Sabah Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib yesterday. James had warned that the freeze could discourage contract doctors from renewing their service in remote parts of Sabah, especially given the lack of basic infrastructure in rural areas compared to urban centres. There are currently about 4,000 government doctors serving in the state. Earlier, Dr Dzulkefly said the haemodialysis machines were urgently needed to boost treatment capacity in public health facilities across Sabah. The number of end-stage renal failure patients seeking treatment at government facilities in the state has increased from 1,831 in 2020 to 2,133 in 2024. At present, Sabah has 474 haemodialysis machines; of these, only 435 are operational, while 39 are damaged. The Sabah government has allocated RM8.5 million, including RM4.5 million for the procurement of the machines. Patients will be exempted from the RM13 fee for using the machines, while those undergoing home-based treatment via the Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) method will receive a RM100 subsidy from the state government.
Borneo Post
11-06-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Sabah urges Federal action on CT PET Scan, heart centre
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.
The Star
17-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Kaamatan not a 'drinking festival', says Sabah minister
SANDAKAN: Pesta Kaamatan is not a "drinking festival" as some have labelled it, but a celebration of culture and tradition, says Sabah Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib. He said the annual harvest festival, celebrated by the Kadazandusun Murut Rungus (KDMR) community, holds deep cultural significance and was meant to honour traditions, particularly the legend of "Huminodun," a central figure in the KDMR folklore that symbolises sacrifice and the cycle of life. "Some people label this as a (merely) 'drinking festival,' saying that wherever there is Kaamatan, there is drinking, whether it's tapai or other traditional brews," he said while adding that this was incorrect. "This festival is about remembering our traditions and culture, especially the story of Huminodun, which has historical roots. If we do not remember this every year, this heritage will disappear over time, and we must pass it on to our children," he added during his speech at the Sandakan-level Kaamatan Festival on Saturday (May 17). James also highlighted the broader significance of Kaamatan, saying that it was not just about cultural preservation, but also about economic growth and social unity. He said that the celebration helps boost the local economy, providing opportunities for small traders, artisans, and local businesses, while also promoting Sandakan as a tourism destination with attractions like the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre, and Agnes Keith House. He further called on the community to use the Kaamatan festival as a platform to strengthen social bonds, promote inclusivity, and foster a spirit of togetherness, regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation.
