THE new health minister and her deputy are urged to provide the rural folk with better access to healthcare, including by forging better federal-state partnerships.

Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii said lack of access to healthcare in Sarawak, especially in the remote and rural areas, was worrying, pointing to two recent deaths as proof of the problem.

A baby died in its mother’s arms while travelling on a bus from Julau to Kuching for treatment. In the second case, an elderly woman from Lawas died en route to the hospital because the ambulance was held up at the gate of the Sungai Tujoh Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security.

“It is saddening that in this day and age, we still hear of people, especially in the rural areas, who are deprived of their right to quality healthcare. 

“This is a clear symptom of long-term under-investment in and neglect of our healthcare services, especially in rural areas,” Yii said in a statement today.

The two-term DAP lawmaker said it is important for the cabinet as a whole to address poverty, provide basic amenities and ensure equitable development.

“To resolve health inequities there has to be a comprehensive federal-state, inter-ministry and inter-agency framework… to properly address all the different social determinants of health so no one is left behind,” he said.

He said it is also important for the government to support the healthcare workers and ensure that healthcare facilities have the necessary specialists and manpower.

“All this requires political will and more importantly, for ministries not to work any longer in silos. 

“We may need to rethink how we do healthcare, especially in rural areas, as we want to ensure that all Malaysians will get access to quality universal healthcare and such incidents do not happen again.” 

Newbie Dr Zaliha Mustafa is the health minister while Sarawak’s GPS MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni is her deputy.

Zaliha is the PKR Sekijang MP. – December 10, 2022.