KOTA SAMARAHAN: The state's healthcare system and medical workforce development must be further strengthened to face the challenges of transitioning into an aging society by 2030.

Sarawak Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, stated that this demographic shift is expected to place significant pressure on the healthcare system, particularly regarding non-communicable diseases, community care, and long-term treatment.

He explained that the recently announced National Health and Morbidity Survey Report showed that only about 15 per cent of the elderly population is in good health.

“This situation means that the majority of the aging society will face various health issues, including chronic diseases and mental health conditions,” he said.

He said this when met by the media after attending the 4th International Nursing Students Conference 2026 (4th INSC 2026) at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) on Saturday.

Commenting further, the Sarawak Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government said that the field of nursing is no longer confined solely to hospital care, but has instead expanded into community care and home treatment, which require more specialised expertise.

This, he added, includes technological advancements such as artificial intelligence (AI), which will play a crucial role in the transformation of the future healthcare system. -UKASnews

Prepared by: Lonney Jinab
Translator: Sarah Nicole Hii
Photo by: Ibanez Jeffery Guang