Sarawak On Track to Become Malaysia's First Digital Healthcare State By 2026
SIBU: Sarawak is on track to become the first state in Malaysia to fully implement a digital healthcare system by the end of 2026, in line with efforts to expand access to quality healthcare services for all residents regardless of location.
Deputy Minister of Health, Dato Hanifah Hajar Taib, said the majority of government health clinics in Sarawak are now operating on digital platforms, in line with the Federal Government's commitment through the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) to modernise the nation's healthcare system.
She said the effort focuses on improving equity of access to healthcare services so that residents in rural areas receive standards of treatment on par with those in urban areas.
"Our main focus is to improve equity in access, ensuring that patients in Kapit Division receive the same basic standard of care as patients in Kuala Lumpur.
"To bridge this geographical gap, telehealth initiatives such as MediRover and the MediDoc system are now leveraging 5G networks and satellite technology to bring specialist services directly to rural communities," she said when speaking at the opening ceremony of the Transforming Brain Injury (TBI) 6.0 Conference here on Saturday.
She said the transformation of a sustainable healthcare system also requires continuous investment in human capital development, including doctors, nurses, allied health science professionals and future leaders in the health sector.
"Sustainable transformation requires continuous investment in healthcare human capital.
"Educational platforms such as TBI 6.0 play an important role in strengthening professional development, research collaboration and specialist training," she said.
Meanwhile, she praised the achievements of the Sibu Hospital Department of Neurosurgery under the leadership of Dr. Nelson Yap, which has successfully saved more than RM50 million since 2013 by reducing the need for medical evacuations (MEDEVAC) to Kuching.
She said the department has also expanded specialist services through outreach clinics in Mukah, Bintulu, Sarikei and Kapit, in addition to making history by performing East Malaysia's first advanced epilepsy brain surgery in October 2025.
"Sibu Neurosurgery has proven that geographical challenges are no barrier to providing world-class services, making it a model for rural specialist healthcare development worthy of emulation at the national level," she said. -UKASnews
