Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has urged the government to prioritise the basic accommodation and welfare of healthcare personnel serving in the State's rural and remote areas.
Sabah MMA chairman Dr Brandon Patrick Senagang said the Health Minister’s recent visits to district hospitals in Ranau, Tambunan, and Kota Belud provided a timely opportunity to address living conditions alongside facility upgrades.
He highlighted that doctors serving in interior locations face a severe shortage of suitable staff quarters, with existing units often being dilapidated or unavailable.
According to him, the lack of nearby housing forces some medical officers to commute long distances, adding to physical fatigue, financial strain, and potential burnout.
These living challenges are further compounded by poor road conditions and frequent interruptions to water and electricity supply in remote districts.
Brandon stressed that staff quarters must be treated as an essential component of healthcare infrastructure to help retain medical personnel in rural communities.
He called for immediate repair of existing quarters, inclusion of sufficient housing in future clinic planning, and cooperation between the Federal and Sabah State governments to allocate suitable land.
Investing in safe housing and reliable basic amenities is essential to retaining dedicated healthcare workers and ensuring long-term healthcare sustainability for rural Sabahans, he said.
