Kota Kinabalu: The State Government is taking seriously the need to enhance critical healthcare services in Sabah, including replacing obsolete equipment and improving parking facilities, said Women, Health and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk Julita Majungki.
Responding to a question by Luyang Assemblyman Samuel Wong at the State Legislative Assembly, she said the Ministry, through the Sabah Health Department (JKNS), had submitted demands in 2024 covering autonomy, facility development, service quality improvements, additional human resources and posts, as well as adequate budget allocation.
She said the strengthening plan covers short-, medium- and long-term periods up to 2035.
“These demands were submitted under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Implementation Action Council platform chaired by the Prime Minister, and Sabah’s healthcare needs are also regularly discussed in meetings between the Health Minister and State Health Exco,” she said.
Julita said 48 facility development and service quality improvement projects have been and will be implemented under the 12th and 13th Malaysia Plans.
“These include the construction of the Sabah Heart Centre at Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, the Sabah Blood Centre, the Type 3 Penampang Health Clinic, the Sabah Dental Specialist Centre, as well as Type 6 health clinics with quarters in Sungai Manila, Sandakan, and Pulau Sebatik, Tawau,” she said.
She added that procurement of CT scan machines for Kudat Hospital and Tawau Hospital, a PET scan machine for the Sabah Women and Children’s Hospital, and upgrading of hospital network systems statewide are also included.
Julita said improvements and expansion of parking facilities have been approved as part of the scope of facility upgrading projects.
Responding to a supplementary question by Wong on interim measures, she said the provision of additional parking has been considered in new project approvals but acknowledged that the issue reflects current constraints.
“I understand the question refers to the present situation, and we are exploring initiatives at the State level, including improving traffic flow within hospital areas,” she said.
She said she had visited Queen Elizabeth Hospital with the Works Minister to assess the possibility of creating new routes to ease congestion.
“Regarding temporary parking, I am uncertain how this can be implemented given the limited available space, but the State Government will consider solutions,” she said.
Julita said a Government-Private Committee has been approved by the State Cabinet to examine comprehensive solutions, including parking issues across Sabah.
“We hope that in the near term we can identify solutions that will benefit patients and their families,” she said.
She said the committee would explore improvements or optimise existing space through collaboration between the government and private sector.
“We are concerned and recognise this is a pressing issue that must be addressed,” she said.
Julita added that similar parking constraints are faced at other major hospitals, including Queen Elizabeth Hospital II and the Duchess of Kent Hospital in Sandakan.
She said the committee would look into resolving such issues comprehensively to ensure long-term solutions.