Kota Kinabalu: The Health Ministry has reaffirmed its commitment to improving medical and healthcare services across Sabah in line with rising public demand.
Health Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Suriani Ahmad said the public healthcare sector faces growing pressure due to population growth, ageing, and the prevalence of non-communicable diseases.
Her speech was delivered by Health Deputy Director General (Public Health) Dr Ismuni Bohari during the Sabah Zone Health Ministry Training Institute (ILKKM) convocation ceremony here on Saturday.
She said the Ministry is strengthening its workforce by expanding permanent appointments and increasing the number of trainee nurses from 1,000 to 3,000 this year to ensure better access to healthcare, particularly in rural areas.
Meanwhile, over 900 trainees received their scrolls during the convocation ceremony, with 108 earning excellence awards and seven receiving gold or premier honours.
Suriani expressed hope that the new graduates would serve with professionalism, compassion, and integrity while upholding the Ministry’s “patient-first” principle.
