KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 5 — The Ministry of Health (MOH) is adopting a tailored approach to upgrading healthcare facilities in the interior of Sabah and Sarawak by taking into account the unique geographical challenges and healthcare needs of each community.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib said every rural health clinic faces different constraints, including logistical access, increasing patient numbers and flood risks, requiring solutions tailored to local conditions.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Bernama Radio on the programme Jelajah Kesihatan Borneo & Masa Depan Kesihatan Negara today, Hanifah said findings from the Borneo Health Tour showed that some clinics require additional medical equipment and personnel, while others need larger facilities or relocation due to unsuitable locations.
She added that climate change and the increasing frequency of floods have prompted the ministry to improve the resilience of healthcare facilities, including raising the placement of medical equipment and furniture to minimise damage during floods.
Hanifah also assured that MOH maintains at least three months’ supply of medicines at hospitals and health clinics in rural areas to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services.
The ministry is also strengthening efforts to prevent and manage endemic and infectious diseases, particularly rabies and dengue, by ensuring adequate medication, trained healthcare personnel and close collaboration with relevant agencies and local authorities.
She said the second series of the Borneo Health Tour has enabled the ministry to assess conditions on the ground and ensure equitable healthcare access and disease management for communities across Sabah and Sarawak.
–Bernama
