THE Dewan Negara today approved a motion on Health White Paper, which details reforms to be executed in phases over 15 years.

Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni said his ministry is currently repairing nearly 400 dilapidated clinics across the country.

“In Kelantan, 39 health clinics are under tender and construction process, 23 clinics in Sabah will receive allocations while 38 clinics in Sarawak and 42 clinics in Negri Sembilan have received allocations,” he said during the debate wind-up on the motion.

Lukanisman said the ministry will study the demand-supply gap in healthcare soon to review the people’s actual healthcare needs in relation to the country’s resources.

Through the study, the distribution and requirements for facilities, equipment and health personnel for the whole country in the public and private sectors can be clearly mapped until 2040.

The motion was debated by 27 senators. 

Abun Sui Anyit said he hopes people in rural areas can enjoy the benefits conferred by the white paper, and urged the government to focus on disease prevention. 

The Dewan Negara sitting continues tomorrow. – Bernama, June 26, 2023.