THE Health Ministry (MOH) will look into the request made by the Sarawak government to have administrative control over healthcare matters. 

Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said he had taken note of the numerous recommendations conveyed by Deputy Premier cum Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Dr Sim Kui Hian pertaining to the request during their meeting today. 

He said the healthcare matters included those related to infrastructure, administration, and human resources. 

“We will definitely look into their request, and this will be followed by the setting up of sub-committees that will further scrutinise those matters. 

“In my opinion, the request is reasonable,” he told reporters after visiting the Petra Jaya Hospital project site.  

Dzulkefly had earlier paid a courtesy call to Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg. He said the Sarawak government had requested for the construction of the Sarawak Cancer Centre to be expedited. 

“We can no longer delay the construction of this cancer centre, which is very much needed (in Sarawak). I will inform the prime minister about all of Sarawak’s requests,” he said. 

On January 7, Sim reportedly said a meeting would be held this week between MOH and the Sarawak Public Health, Housing and Local Government Ministry to deliberate further on the state’s request for autonomy on health matters. 

He said Sarawak wanted health autonomy to be handed over to the state to ensure health services reached the highest level. 

He added that Sarawak needed more health facilities such as heart centres in Sibu and Miri due to the massive size of the state and time taken to travel within it. – Bernama, January 12, 2024.