KUALA LUMPUR, October 8, 2026 — Budget 2027 must place greater emphasis on strengthening healthcare services in Sabah, particularly through improved staffing, upgraded facilities and better access to treatment, said Kota Kinabalu Member of Parliament Datuk Chan Foong Hin.
Chan, who is also DAP Sabah Deputy Chairman, said healthcare allocations should focus on the practical needs faced by patients and their families, including timely treatment, access to specialists and reducing the need for patients to travel long distances for medical care.
He said addressing these challenges would require sufficient healthcare personnel, highlighting concerns raised during a recent visit to Sabah by members of the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) on Health.
Among the concerns was the high rate of “no-shows” involving medical officers assigned to permanent postings in Sabah and Sarawak.
“My first wish, therefore, is for a dedicated package to attract and retain healthcare professionals in Sabah,” Chan said.
He welcomed proposals by Senator Dr RA Lingeshwaran to strengthen incentives, accommodation and career development opportunities for healthcare professionals serving in Sabah and Sarawak.
Chan said Budget 2027 should provide for suitable staff quarters, adequate housing, hardship allowances, timely relocation assistance and clearer opportunities for specialist training.
He stressed that such measures should not be limited to doctors, but should also cover nurses, pharmacists, allied health professionals and support personnel.
Chan also called for targeted allocations to upgrade hospitals and clinics, replace essential equipment and address maintenance needs.
In Kota Kinabalu, he said particular attention should be given to Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, given their important role in receiving referrals from across Sabah.
“Funding must connect facilities, equipment and staffing so that additional capacity can translate into actual treatment,” he said.
Chan further called for stronger healthcare services in Sabah’s rural and remote communities, including better-equipped district hospitals and clinics, reliable medical supplies, mobile healthcare services and patient transport assistance.
He said these measures could help reduce the burden on families who currently have to travel significant distances to obtain treatment.
At the same time, Chan stressed the need for sustained investment in Sabah’s own healthcare workforce through increased training opportunities, scholarships and specialist career pathways for Sabahans.
He said developing more healthcare professionals from Sabah would contribute towards building a more stable and sustainable workforce for the state.
Chan also urged the Federal Government to take Sabah’s geographical challenges into account when determining healthcare allocations, particularly the distances patients have to travel and the higher practical costs involved in delivering services across dispersed communities.
He said healthcare allocations should be accompanied by clear implementation timelines and measurable outcomes, including reducing vacancies, ensuring medical equipment is functional and shortening patient waiting times.
“My hope for Budget 2027 is straightforward: patients in Sabah should experience a real improvement in the care they receive, while healthcare workers receive the support they need to serve effectively,” he said.
-PressKl
