Datuk Michael Tiang — Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING (May 23): A new Type 2 health clinic is planned for Sarikei to address the persistent overcrowding at the existing health facility, which treats between 600 and 800 patients daily.
Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang the existing clinic, which has been operational since August 1993, serves a population of 67,300.
“In the long-term plan, there is a proposal to build a new Type 2 health clinic on Lot 1120, Block 33, Sarikei Land District,” he said in response to a question from Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii (GPS-Repok) at the State Legislative Assembly today.
He said the proposal would be submitted under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) and would include the construction of the divisional health office and divisional pharmacy office.
The current clinic occupies an area of approximately 2.96 acres with limited parking for around 35 vehicles.
Although an expansion of the waiting area was completed in 2021 and RM800,000 approved in 2023 for repair and upgrading works, patient congestion remains an issue.
To mitigate the situation in the interim, services at the nearby Julau and Pakan health clinics have been improved.
“This includes placing a permanent doctor, regular visits by family medicine specialists, and the provision of radiology services at Pakan Health Clinic since 2021,” Tiang said.
Type 2 health clinics typically offer a range of services including maternal and child health, laboratory and radiology services, rehabilitation, pharmacy, and dental services.
Sarikei Division currently only has one such clinic, while the surrounding clinics in Pakan and Julau are categorised as Type 4, which typically handle 150 to 300 patients per day.