The Health Ministry (MOH) is implementing a customised approach to improve healthcare facilities in the rural areas of Sabah and Sarawak by considering the geographical challenges and specific requirements of each location.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib said the approach is necessary as health clinics in remote areas face different challenges, including accessibility issues, rising patient numbers and the need to prepare for flood risks.
She said findings from the Borneo Health Tour showed that every rural healthcare facility visited had its own set of priorities, ranging from additional medical equipment and manpower to larger spaces or relocation due to unsuitable locations.
“Every health clinic I visited has different challenges. Some require additional equipment, some need more staff, while others require expansion or relocation because the current sites are no longer suitable,” she said.
Hanifah said this during an exclusive interview with Bernama Radio for the programme titled ‘Jelajah Kesihatan Borneo & Masa Depan Kesihatan Negara’ today.
She added that climate change and unpredictable flooding have also influenced upgrading plans, with some facilities requiring improvements such as elevating medical equipment and furniture to reduce the risk of damage during floods.
Apart from infrastructure improvements, Hanifah assured that MOH continues to ensure health clinics and hospitals in rural areas maintain sufficient medicine supplies, with stocks prepared for at least three months as part of its emergency readiness measures.
She said the ministry is also prioritising the monitoring and treatment of endemic and high-risk infectious diseases in Sabah and Sarawak, including rabies and dengue.
“We want to ensure that the required medicines are available, healthcare workers have the necessary knowledge and that cooperation with relevant agencies and local authorities continues to strengthen disease management efforts, especially for rabies,” she said.
Hanifah added that the second series of the Borneo Health Tour has allowed MOH to better understand the actual situation faced by communities in remote areas and ensure healthcare services are delivered more effectively and fairly across Sabah and Sarawak.
