Dr Sim said during the meeting with the Health Ministry, he had also stressed that national norms are not applicable to Sarawak in view of its geographical distances. File Photo
KUCHING: Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian today said he has conveyed Sarawak Government’s intention to take over administrative autonomy for health together with the federal annual allocated funding to the Health Ministry (MOH).
He said in his winding up speech at the State Legislative Assembly sitting today that this was because Sarawakians know the needs of Sarawak better than Putrajaya, adding that this was in line with Sarawak Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) manifesto promises.
Dr Sim said during the meeting with MOH, he had also stressed that national norms are not applicable to Sarawak in view of its geographical distances.
“For example, once Pan Borneo is completed, there will be an increase in motor car accidents. Pan Borneo highway is almost equal distance to the North South Highway (in Peninsular Malaysia). But our orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons are based mainly in Kuching while in Malaya, there are so many such specialists along the North South Highway,” he said.
On development projects, Dr Sim said as of October 25, the Sarawak Health Department has received RM51.3 million from the Health Ministry to be used in developing its human capital, small scale upgrading projects and medical equipment procurement.
He noted that the Petra Jaya Hospital has to undergo a retender process, which was expected to be opened on December 24, 2019.
Meanwhile, Dr Sim said the award letter to the successful tenderer for the construction of additional block in Miri Hospital is expected to be presented by the end of this year.
He also said the actual progress of the new Sri Aman Hospital as of October 29, 2019, was 68 per cent compared to the scheduled 85.9 per cent and the contractor has been granted another extension with the completion date shifted from August 3, 2019 to January 28, 2020.