Kota Kinabalu: Budget 2027 must provide targeted allocations to strengthen healthcare services in Sabah, particularly in staffing, facility upgrades and access to treatment, said Kota Kinabalu MP Datuk Chan Foong Hin.
He said healthcare spending should focus on the needs of patients and their families, including timely treatment, reasonable access to specialists and reducing the need for patients to travel long distances for medical care.
Chan said sufficient healthcare personnel were crucial to meeting these needs, following concerns raised by members of the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) on Health during their recent visit to Sabah.
“One of the concerns that must be addressed is the high ‘no-show’ rate among medical officers assigned to permanent postings in Sabah and Sarawak.
“Hence, my first wish is for Budget 2027 to include a dedicated package to attract and retain healthcare professionals in Sabah, including improved incentives, accommodation and career development opportunities,” he said, here, Thursday.
Chan, who is also DAP Sabah deputy chairman, welcomed proposals by Senator Dr RA Lingeshwaran to improve incentives, accommodation and career development for healthcare workers serving in Sabah and Sarawak.
He said the package should include suitable staff quarters, adequate housing, hardship allowances, timely relocation assistance and clear pathways for specialist training.
These measures should cover not only doctors but also nurses, pharmacists, allied health professionals and support staff, he added.
Chan also called for targeted funding to upgrade hospitals and clinics, provide essential equipment and ensure proper maintenance.
“In Kota Kinabalu, the needs of Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Queen Elizabeth II Hospital deserve particular attention, given their role in receiving referrals from across Sabah.
“Funding must connect facilities, equipment and staffing so that additional capacity can translate into actual treatment for patients,” he said.
On rural healthcare, Chan said Budget 2027 should strengthen district hospitals and health clinics, ensure reliable medical supplies, expand mobile services and provide patient transport assistance to reduce the burden on families travelling long distances for treatment.
He also called for sustained investment in Sabah’s healthcare workforce through more training opportunities, scholarships and specialist pathways for Sabahans.
“Allocations should reflect Sabah’s geography, the distances patients travel and the practical cost of delivering services across dispersed communities.
“The allocations should also be accompanied by clear implementation timelines and measurable outcomes, including filled vacancies, functioning equipment and shorter waiting times,” he said.
Chan said he hoped Budget 2027 would bring tangible improvements to healthcare services in Sabah, while ensuring healthcare workers receive the support they need to serve effectively.
