KOTA KINABALU: Sabah still has around 2,000 vacancies for medical doctors or over 60 per cent of the total number of doctors needed in the state.
Sabah Health Director Dr Mohd Yusof Hj Ibrahim, who revealed this yesterday, pointed out that the doctor to population ratio is currently one to 2,000, while the national ratio is one to 600.
Health Director General Dato’ Dr Hassan Abdul Rahman said Sabah is still lagging 10 to 15 years behind Peninsular Malaysia in terms of medical resources.
The national target is to achieve one doctor for every 400 people by 2020, he told the press after officiating at the 13th Sabah State Clinical Conference here yesterday.
Nonetheless, Hassan said the number of housemen had doubled nationwide compared to 3,000 two years ago.
He said once the housemen completed their practical, they could be posted to clinics and hospitals in Sabah.
He pointed out that the government planned to build 50 clinics in Sabah under the 10th Malaysia Plan as part of the One School One Clinic programme.
Currently there are 77 health clinics in the State.
Hassan acknowledged the lack of manpower and healthcare facilities in the State, but he said that temporary measures are being taken to provide accessibility to medical services, including the flying doctor service and mobile clinics.
He said there are three flying doctor stations in Sabah, including Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau where the doctors, nurses and medical assistants visit once a month.
During the visit, the medical staff will treat patients, provide vaccination for children, examine pregnant mothers and educate the public on healthcare.
Also present was organising chairman of the conference, Dr Soo Thian Lian.