MIRI: The first mobile hospital by boat in the country could take off in the Baram, hopefully by end of this year.
Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan
Should this materialise, it meant that medical facilities would be brought to the doorstep of villagers residing near riverbanks, Baram MP Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan told The Borneo Post in an interview here yesterday.
The International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister said: “I believe this is the first boat hospital we are implementing under the 1Malaysia concept.”
The ‘1Malaysia Mobile Hospital’ will be an effort of the federal government.
“The hospital is expected to initially benefit about 20,000 people from 40 villages along riverbanks in Baram,” Sagan said.
He said this was a pioneer project approved by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak after his visit to Baram recently.
Sagan had asked Najib to establish a mobile hospital that could move around to cater to the villages in the central part of his constituency.
Najib discussed the matter with Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan.
Sagan received a reply from the Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai dated Oct 30, saying the service might be implemented by the end of this year.
“This is a very good idea indeed,” Sagan commented.
Since there was already a flying doctor service (FDS) in the remote area, a mobile hospital on boat could ply the river and service the villagers along the riverbanks, from Kuala Baram and continue to Marudi then proceeding up to Long Lama.
From here, the hospital could go beyond up to Long Miri and if there was more time, ply up to Tutoh Apoh and Tinjar area.
Among the villages that would enjoy the facilities are Benawa, Kuala Tutoh, Long Ikang, Long Banyok, Uma Akeh, Long Lama, Long Laput, Sungai Dua, Uma Bawang and Long Miri.
“I am looking forward to it. Hopefully, some of the ministers will launch the project for us,” Sagan said.
Riverine Baram folks can look forward to medical facilities like treating emergencies, diagnosing sickness, post natal follow-up and patients discharged from hospital. Sagan hoped villagers in Baram make full use of the facility and pass the good news around to those living within the area.
“This is a gesture of the government’s concern and care for the people, and the prime minister in particular who had proven people come first under 1Malaysia,” he said.
Earlier, Sagan chaired an annual general meeting of Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP), Telang Usan division at Imperial Hotel here. The meeting was attended by the main committee, Women’s wing headed by chief Datin Winnie Jolly and representatives from seven branches in Telang Usan.