Latest news with #StateCommunityDevelopmentandPeople'sWellbeing
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
More demand for autism centres in Sabah
KOTA KINABALU: The increasing number of children diagnosed with autism in Sabah has prompted calls for more dedicated centres to provide early intervention and specialised care. State Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib said cases in the state had risen from about 4,700 autistic children in 2023 to around 6,122 this year. "This is why, together with the Sabah Welfare Services Department and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), we took the initiative to build the first autism centre in Sabah. "We need more professionally trained teachers. Currently, we have about 10, assisted by four others. "We hope to increase this number and even send some teachers to Singapore to learn best practices in managing autistic children," he told the reporters after launching the facility that accommodates 92 children aged 3 to 7. The centre has been in operation since April. Similar facilities will be established in Tawau, Sandakan, Kudat and Beaufort. James added that parents should not feel ashamed of seeking help for their children, adding that early intervention could significantly improve outcomes. He said that the centre charges a subsidised monthly fee of RM300 as compared to other private centres charge around RM1,300 a month, while some go up to RM2,700. "In Singapore, parents pay about RM14,000 a month. Our fee is the lowest in Malaysia for such a facility," he said, urging government-linked companies to do their part in funding future similar facilities in Sabah.
Borneo Post
31-07-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Sabah urges action on child marriage, teen pregnancies
Flovia with participants of the Sabah Population Seminar 2025. KOTA KINABALU (July 31): Heightened collective attention and action are needed to address the issues of child marriage and teenage pregnancy in Sabah, said State Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib. James said that based on current monitoring and data, these remain key challenges for Sabah — a state with a unique blend of geography, ethnic diversity, and a population profile unlike most other states. He highlighted that significant social inequalities persist between urban and rural communities in Sabah, with many families — especially in the interior — lacking basic amenities, quality education, healthcare, and stable employment. 'This situation directly impacts the stability of the family institution and the emotional well-being of its members,' he said. Child marriages and teenage pregnancies, he noted, are often driven by cultural pressures, poverty, limited access to education, and a lack of reproductive health awareness. 'If not addressed comprehensively, these issues will continue to perpetuate the cycle of poverty, educational dropout, and hinder efforts to develop the full potential of our younger generation,' he said during his speech at the Sabah Population Seminar 2025 today. The speech was delivered by Assistant Minister Datuk Flovia Ng. To address the issue, James said the state government, through the State Women's Affairs Department (Jhewa), is actively implementing the Early Child Marriage Issue Programme (MIPA). Since its launch in 2023, the programme has provided awareness and education to children, families and communities in districts such as Tongod, Tenom, Kemabong and Nabawan — benefiting 1,092 individuals to date. He added that efforts to strengthen the family support system include parenting education, family counselling, and resilient family development programmes, carried out in collaboration with government agencies, NGOs and community leaders. James also pointed to a rise in unplanned pregnancies, emotional stress among young mothers, and psychosocial challenges among adolescents due to environmental and digital media influences. 'This situation requires targeted interventions, comprehensive health education, and accessible, inclusive counselling services,' he stressed. On another note, James addressed the issue of an ageing population. Although Sabah's elderly population currently stands at nine percent — lower than other states — its fertility rate dropped to 1.5 children per woman in 2023, well below the replacement level of 2.1. He said the decline in fertility not only affects the birth rate but also disrupts the balance between the young and elderly population. He acknowledged that the increase in life expectancy reflects improvements in healthcare, but also poses significant challenges for healthcare, social support systems, and economic resilience. 'The fertility rate has dropped to the lowest level in the country's history, and the population is quickly transitioning toward an ageing society,' he said. 'This demographic shift demands an age-friendly support system, including accessible healthcare, a supportive community environment, and sustainable family support,' he added.
Daily Express
11-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Express
Sabah wants rural docs waiver: Federal freeze on allowances
Published on: Thursday, June 12, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 12, 2025 By: Nora Ahmad Text Size: James, accompanied by Dr Maria, upon arrival for the colloquium Kota Kinabalu: State Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib is pushing for rural doctors' allowances in Sabah and Sarawak to be exempt from the current Federal freeze. He said he would present the proposal to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad during a meeting scheduled here today (Thursday), citing concerns that the frozen allowances could worsen the State's existing doctor shortage in rural areas. Advertisement 'We are already facing a shortage of doctors serving in rural areas. If their allowances remain frozen, many doctors may not renew their government contracts, which would severely impact Sabah,' he told reporters after officiating the 17th Public Health Colloquium, here, Wednesday. He pointed out the disparity between urban and rural postings, noting that while both face the same allowance freeze, rural doctors work in areas lacking basic infrastructure, including wifi access, clean water supply and electricity. For the record, according to State Health Director Dr Maria Suleiman, Sabah currently has 2,981 permanent doctors and specialists, with an additional 1,072 on contract. On healthcare infrastructure improvements, James revealed that around 30 remaining wooden health clinics Statewide will be replaced with concrete structures, expected to be completed next year. He said during his two-and-a-half-year tenure, about 100 dilapidated wooden clinics have been upgraded. He also disclosed ongoing efforts to acquire Sabah's first Positron Emission Tomography scanner for cancer detection and monitoring. The machine, currently under tender process and expected to arrive this year, will be installed at the Sabah Women and Children's Hospital, eliminating the need for patients to travel to Sarawak for scans that cost up to RM3,000. Additionally, he called for improved regulation of electronic cigarettes, citing concerns about illegal substance contamination. He said he could only make recommendations to the Health Ministry to improve regulations on vape-related matters. 'I will recommend improvements in advisory measures to prevent indiscriminate vaping, a study to control (the manufacturing of vape products) and to determine whether they are laced with drugs. 'If the vape liquid contains drugs, the responsible individuals should be arrested,' he said. On banning the sale of vapes, James said the jurisdiction lied with the Local Government and Housing Ministry. Perlis, Terengganu, Kelantan, Johor and Kedah have banned the sale of vape products. * 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
05-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Express
Digital healthcare project at Tuaran and Beluran hospitals lauded
Published on: Thursday, June 05, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 05, 2025 By: Nikko Fabian Text Size: James highlighted the project's significant achievements, including the complete integration of digital platforms across key departments, the transition from paper-based to digital systems for crucial processes like triage and clinical encounters, and the implementation of real-time dashboards for informed decision-making. Kota Kinabalu: State Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib praised the successful implementation of a groundbreaking digital healthcare project at Tuaran and Beluran Hospitals. He said the initiative, a collaborative effort between the Ministry, Allyssa Certification Sdn Bhd, MQuest Malaysia Sdn Bhd and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), had fully digitised critical hospital workflows, resulting in enhanced efficiency and improved patient care. James highlighted the project's significant achievements, including the complete integration of digital platforms across key departments, the transition from paper-based to digital systems for crucial processes like triage and clinical encounters, and the implementation of real-time dashboards for informed decision-making. He emphasised the project's success in integrating laboratory, radiology, and pharmacy modules with the Hospital Information System (HIS), and the deployment of AI-enabled tools to support clinical decision-making. The Minister underscored the project's positive impact on improving healthcare access for remote and underserved communities, accelerating data-driven state-level health policy decisions, and enhancing the efficiency and transparency of healthcare resource allocation. He called the initiative a 'low-risk, high-impact transformation' with the potential to set a new benchmark for smarter healthcare delivery in the region. 'The successful completion of the Proof of Concept (PoC) at Tuaran and Beluran Hospitals positions them as pioneers in digital healthcare within Sabah, paving the way for the development of a future-proof, autonomous digital healthcare ecosystem tailored to the unique needs of the state,' James affirmed his ministry's commitment to supporting the full implementation of this transformative initiative. The project aligns with the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025, promoting digitalisation for regional economic growth and resilience.
The Star
25-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Water lifeline in the works for Tangkarason, says Sabah minister
An aerial view of Kampung Tangkarason in Paitan, showing the newly rebuilt health clinic and surrounding rural landscape. SANDAKAN: The Sabah government is working to connect drought-stricken Tangkarason to a proper water supply system after weeks of public concern over the village's reliance on crocodile-infested rivers and muddy ponds. State Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib said the remote village in Beluran has been given priority under the Rural Water Supply Programme. 'A plan is in place to connect Tangkarason to a main pipe from the Paitan trunk line. Discussions are ongoing with the Water Department, and the district office has been instructed to arrange for temporary supply to the village health clinic,' he said. Tangkarason is in the Paitan sub-district, a remote and sparsely populated area known for its rugged terrain and scattered settlements. It was previously reported that Tangkarason's 3,000 residents have long struggled without piped water, relying on unsafe rivers and ponds — some inhabited by crocodiles — for their daily needs. During the current dry spell, even these sources have become dangerously scarce, forcing villagers to ration water and risk their safety daily. James, who is also the Sugut assemblyman, said the water issue is especially urgent for the village's health clinic, which recently resumed operations in a permanent building after months of operating temporarily from a community hall. 'The clinic is running now, but it still needs basic utilities like piped water. That's our next step,' he said, adding that the power supply is currently through generators, with longer-term plans involving Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd. Datuk James Ratib at the Paitan district-level Kaamatan Festival 2025. He was speaking when met at the launching of the Paitan district-level Kaamatan Festival over the weekend. Paitan district officer Joe Joloning Majambu, who was also present, said efforts to address the water issue were raised at the district-level disaster management committee and have since been escalated to relevant state agencies. He added that the proposed water supply extension to Tangkarason had been approved in principle under the 12th Malaysia Plan, with funding pending from the Federal Government. 'If approved, the water supply will benefit not only Tangkarason but also four to five neighbouring villages, including two schools,' he said. Joe said electricity remains a challenge in the area, but the federal Rural and Regional Development Ministry had approved the rollout of solar hybrid systems in several nearby villages. As for road access, he confirmed that the current route used by villagers is through a palm oil estate after the original access was taken over. 'The road to Tangkarason has been shortlisted for upgrading by the Public Works Department. We know clean water alone is not enough if we can't reach these places,' he said. Winnie Mogak, a small trader in the village, said she has to buy about 20 cartons of bottled water every month just to meet her family's daily needs. 'The ponds have dried up. Even the rivers turn salty during the drought, so we can't use them. 'The only way we get water now is from rainwater catchments or wells. That's all we have,' she said. She urged the government to expedite the piped water project, saying clean water should no longer be a luxury for the people of Tangkarason. 'We're tired of waiting. Clean water is not a privilege — it's our right,' she said.
