Kota Kinabalu: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Api-Api Information Chief, Yee Tsai Yiew, has called on the Federal Government to address the aging infrastructure of government clinics in the State capital.
Yiew said clinics serving local communities have long struggled with outdated and insufficient facilities, operating beyond their intended capacity and deteriorating surroundings, all of which require Federal intervention.
She noted that many government clinics are in dire need of expansion to accommodate the growing number of patients, as well as upgrades to outdated medical equipment and facilities.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});One of the main concerns, she said, is the limited waiting space inside the clinics, which forces many patients to wait outside. The shortage of chairs, some of which are damaged but still in use, further compromises patient comfort and care.
“There is also a lack of essential medical equipment. For instance, the ultrasound machines are outdated and the clinic has only one baby cot available,” she said during a recent visit to the Kota Kinabalu Women and Children’s Clinic in Kg Air, here.
She added that long-standing issues such as limited parking and poor road conditions around the clinic continue to pose challenges for both patients and staff.
Yiew, who is also Special Officer to the Chief Minister, said since healthcare falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government, it is their responsibility to allocate sufficient funding for the upgrading of hospital and clinic infrastructure in Sabah.
She said every citizen deserves access to basic, quality healthcare.
As a short-term measure to improve the clinic’s environment, Yiew personally donated 24 new chairs to the Kota Kinabalu Women and Children’s Clinic, enhancing patient comfort during their visit.
While acknowledging that this is only a temporary solution, she reiterated the need for long-term, systemic Federal investment to comprehensively strengthen the healthcare capacity across Sabah.
Present were Kota Kinabalu Women and Children’s Clinic Medical Officer Dr Christy Dymphna Akip, Api-Api Community Development Leader Oliver Majaham and Api-Api Chinese Community Leader Kapitan Chee Siaw Siaw.