THE development of hospital and school facilities in Sarawak has been the focus of several MPs from the state during the debate on the Supplementary Supply Bill (2019) 2020 in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Among MPs from Sarawak who took part in the debate were Oscar Ling (PH-Sibu) and Wilson Ugak Kumbong (GPS-Hulu Rajang).

Ling said that the dialysis services at Sibu Hospital had reached maximum capacity and required a reverse osmosis machine for dialysis treatment.

Therefore, he requested RM230,000 be channelled to the facility as well as an additional RM100,000 to increase the space at the hospital to accommodate patients requiring dialysis.

He also proposed the federal government provide RM20 million for radiotherapy services at Sibu Hospital, so patients did not have to travel to Kuching.

“At Sibu Hospital, we can treat and care for patients from Mukah, Bintulu, Kapit and Kanowit, while cancer patients will no longer need to go to Kuching, which is quite far, to receive treatment.

“This matter is very important and we have been requesting for a long time for the ministry to provide radiotherapy machine at Sibu Hospital. I hope this matter can be realised in the near future,” he said.

He also suggested that the modular building system be adopted as a more effective solution to the issue of rundown schools state-wide, which required large allocation in rural areas.

Citing an allocation of RM350 million to repair 37 schools in Sarawak, Ling said the Public Works Department’s quotation needed to be reviewed.

Meanwhile, Ugak requested the government provide hostel food assistance for boarding schools throughout Sarawak such as SMK Selirik and SMK Baleh immediately, and for the federal government to add a CT scanner at Kapit Hospital.

“People in rural areas also need to receive similar treatment as in the city and I see the need to add facilities at Kapit Hospital should be expedited. If not, they have to travel all the way to Sibu for the facility,” he said.

“I hope the federal government will always look at this matter to ensure that every physical development and human capital of the Sarawakians is always be part of the federal government’s agenda,” he said. – Bernama, August 11, 2020.