Kota Kinabalu: The Ministry of Health aims to post permanent eye specialists at the Lahad Datu Hospital in Sabah and Sri Aman Hospital in Sarawak by 2025 to tackle the shortage in the Bornean states, particularly in rural areas.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said the third National Eye Survey conducted in 2023 revealed a significant decrease in the prevalence of blindness.
“However, it also found that 160,000 East Malaysians aged 50 and above suffer from low vision while eight per cent are blind.
“The prevalence of cataract as the main cause of blindness was the highest in Sabah at 1.9 per cent,” he said after officiating the national-level World Eyesight Day, with the theme “Love Your Eyes: KIDS”, at ITCC in Penampang, Thursday.
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Currently, Lahad Datu only has visiting ophthalmologists.
Lukanisman said there are 24 optometrist officers in Sabah, with three posted at health clinics.
“Government eye specialists are only available at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Sabah Women and Children’s Hospital in Likas, and Tawau, Sandakan and Keningau hospitals.
“Sending in specialists alone won’t solve the problem. They must come with a team and proper equipment which we are aware are obsolete if not deficient.
“That’s why we hope the Ministry of Finance will consider the Ministry’s requests in the 2025 Budget as we are finding the best solutions to finance and upgrade public health.
“This is important because the prevalence of eye problems is high among those from the rural areas because of their inaccessibility,” he said.
The average price for a single eye cataract surgery done in the private sector is RM20,000. Government subsidies drive down the price to RM103 at public hospitals.
Lukanisman said the community plays a role in the healing and lauded the Lions and Rotary clubs for helping the Ministry extend its outreach.
“Vision problems are not limited only to kids or the elderly but the country’s productivity line. This also affects Sabah’s economy,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lukanisman said the special task force set up to investigate the apparent suicide of a pathologist at the Lahad Datu Hospital in August was scheduled to begin investigations immediately.
He said the team, led by former Public Services Department Director-General Tan Sri Borhan Dolah, comprised professionals who would be conducting interviews.
“Results attained will be used to draft policies pertaining to mental health among workers and address bullying or stress in the workplace.
“We are looking forward to the results and hope the victim’s family can be patient and accept the outcome.
“It’s a huge loss as it’s not easy to get a specialist let alone for them to work in the Bornean states. This is a big matter and we are carefully studying the case.
“For sure, if there was bullying or disorder among healthcare workers, we will be taking serious action in solidarity and so it is does not recur.
“Bullying needs to be exposed and not swept under the carpet. It happens not only in the healthcare but education, military, security and corporate sectors,” he said.
Dr Tay Tien Yaa, 30, who headed the Chemical Pathology Unit at the Lahad Datu Hospital, was found dead at her residence in Lahad Datu on Aug 29 with the death believed to be linked to workplace bullying.
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