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THE Health Ministry assured that healthcare services, particularly the supply of medicines and medical devices, will not be affected despite a proposed 10 per cent budget cut for the health sector.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, said public facilities under the ministry are the backbone of essential healthcare services, with operational needs dependent on government hospitals.
“The ministry will submit a counter-proposal in the near term
“Any cost-saving measures should not involve critical areas such as patient care, medicine supply and medical requirements,” he told reporters after opening the Sandakan Wellness Hub today.
The Finance Ministry had previously proposed an operating expenditure reduction of RM5.4 billion involving the health and higher education sectors as part of efforts to strengthen the country's fiscal position.
On another issue, he said the ministry has set up a special inter-ministerial task force to look into the issue of shortage of doctors, specialists, improvement of incentives and career paths in the health sector in Sabah and Sarawak.
Dr Dzulkefly said the issue of the shortage of doctors nationwide remained a major challenge that required a comprehensive approach across ministries and government agencies.
He said the problem of shortage and unbalanced distribution could not be solved by the MOH alone, but rather required the cooperation of various parties, including the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT), the Public Service Commission (SPA) and the Ministry of Finance (MoF).
“In Sabah, the MOH has taken several steps, including increasing the placement of young doctors. In Sandakan, for example, we have 42 new graduate medical officers placed at the Duchess of Kent Hospital, and 70 per cent of them are Sabahans.
“I want to see this effort continue to be expanded because we know the challenge of attracting medical officers to work in Sabah is quite big,” he said.
Previously, Sabah Women, Health and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk Julita Majungki said that based on data from the Sabah State Health Department (JKNS), only 2,884 doctors are currently serving in the state, while the need is estimated to reach around 9,000 people.
Dzulkefly said that at the same time, the MOH is also strengthening specialist training pathways in addition to local master’s programmes to increase the country’s supply of specialist doctors.
He said he also wants the offer of permanent positions to contract doctors to continue, especially for those who are committed to serving in the state and areas in need. – May 2, 2026
