Sarawak in need of more doctors due to its vastness

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SIBU: A holistic approach is needed to bridge the doctor-patient ratio gap in Sarawak which falls short of the recommended ratio of 1:600 for developed countries.

According to Nangka assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapaee, the critical area lies in the central region with a current doctor-patient ratio of 1:1,800 due to its vastness.

He noted the overall doctor-patient ratio in Sarawak is about 1:1,300 whereas in Kuching it is about 1:1,100.

“A good ratio is 1:600 or 1:700 found in developed countries, and even Kuala Lumpur and other towns in the peninsula.

“But here in Sarawak, we are still far behind, especially in the central region,” Dr Annuar lamented.

He opined that steps needed to be taken to reduce the uneven doctor-patient ratio.

“I suggest that Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) recruit more medical students, especially from Sarawak (to be trained as doctors) as the number of doctors in the

state is still inadequate,” he

said.

“On the other hand, if Unimas is not able to increase the number of local students in Sarawak enrolled in its medical faculty then I suggest that the government establish a private medical school to cater to the need for more doctors.

“If possible, the government can start to initiate the setting up of a medical faculty, for instance at University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS) to take in medical students,” Dr Annuar told reporters when officiating at SK Agama Sibu’s knowledge corner – a project initiated in collaboration with Unimas.

Dr Annuar also noted that there were not enough clinics in the vast central region.

Although there are 1Malaysia Clinics (K1M) available, not all were manned by doctors.

He observed that the reasons included West Malaysian doctors not willing to serve in Sarawak, and some doctors reluctant to serve in rural areas.

In the last State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting, he had brought up the suggestion for the establishment of a private medical school.

Meanwhile, Unimas vice-chancellor Prof Dato Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi in response to the suggestions said the university’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences had received a number of applications annually.

“We can only take about 130 students for our programme.

“It is based on merits and we try to assist in whatever way we can so students come from Sarawak.

“But then again, we are a public university under the Ministry of Higher Education; our application system is managed by the ministry. It is purely based on merits and if students coming from Sarawak have the necessary qualifications, we will take them in,” Dr Mohamad Kadim explained.

He cited their third year medical students undergoing training in Sibu Hospital in three areas – surgery, paediatrics and community medicine (public health).

“I would like to highlight public health where there are areas we can assist by bringing our students to longhouses and villages.

“In that way, they can better understand the issues and problems faced by people in the interior of Sarawak; that is what we are doing in Sibu.

“We hope to assist the state government by training more doctors who are willing to help in rural areas,” Dr Mohamad Kadim said.