Private Healthcare Facilities Help Strengthen Sarawak's Health Services System
KUCHING: Providing more private healthcare facilities is seen as able to help strengthen Sarawak's health services system, particularly in meeting the growing treatment needs of the population.
Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar said private clinics and hospitals are important in helping to ease pressure on the public healthcare system.
According to him, efforts to expand medical facilities, including by opening more private clinics and hospitals, are vital in reducing the strain on public health services.
"To reduce pressure on the public medical system, we need private clinics that can provide treatment to those who need it," he said.
He said this when officiating the opening of Klinik Kitak Galacity on Saturday.
Tan Sri Datuk Amar Asfia said Sarawak needs an additional 2,500 doctors to strengthen the state's health services, following population growth and a rising ageing population that is also increasing demand for medical facilities and manpower.
He said the demographic shift has also raised the government's expenditure needs in the health sector, in addition to allocations for education.
He also expressed appreciation to doctors, nurses and all medical professionals who continue to serve the people of Sarawak, including those who choose to remain in the state.
He stressed that the quality of medical services must continue to be maintained to meet the needs of local patients and support the growth of medical tourism in Sarawak.
Commenting on developments in artificial intelligence (AI), he opined that the technology cannot replace the human touch in medicine, particularly in patient care and treatment.
Also present was Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng. -UKASnews
