LAHAD DATU: The Ministry of Health (MOH) is in the final phase of preparing a Health White Paper that involves new basic policies for the national health services sector, said Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni.
He said this would also involve health services in Sabah which need Federal Government attention.
Lukanisman, who is on his first working visit to Sabah, also said after Covid-19, the country is facing a crisis in health service and that it was crucial to look into the matter.
“We must review the health requirements, especially neglected clinic services, including schemes that require additional manpower.
“Of course, the information and input I get from every working visit will be brought to the attention of the highest working positions of the Ministry, including the Minister.
“We are also aware of the involvement of the State Government through the cooperation of the MA63 Special Committee, which we will discuss tomorrow (Tuesday) with the Sabah Health Department,” he told reporters after launching the 2023 Grand Smile Operation Initiative (GSOI) programme at the Lahad Datu Hospital, here, Monday (See another report on Page 4).
On Jan 10, Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa was reported to have said the MOH aimed to table the Health White Paper in Parliament in the middle of this year.
Meanwhile, the MOH will continue to listen and work on identifying solutions pertaining to issues in the emergency department in hospitals.
Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said this is due to the different challenges faced by each emergency department.
She said during a recent visit to an emergency department at a large quaternary hospital, the ministry’s team found that the frontline staff were struggling because patients who were supposed to be admitted were stuck in the emergency department.
“Delays in admissions have an adverse domino effect. What is being done (by the ministry includes) acknowledgement of the scale of the problem and the physical and mental fatigue faced by staff and patients on the ground.
“(Also) internal discussion and direction regarding staffing, opening up of more beds, (and) empowering leadership on the ground,” she said, Monday.
Dr Zaliha said many issues were inherited and systemic, but some can be tackled locally with sufficient engagement.
She said many frontliners have worked beyond the call of duty during the pandemic and continue to do so as the healthcare system faces a tsunami of non-communicable diseases (NCD).
* Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.
* Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.