KOTA KINABALU: Sabah marked a milestone in family medicine and healthcare with the launch of three new clinical guidelines here on Thursday (Sept 18).
The guidelines are the 5th edition of the Sabah Obstetric Shared Care Guideline (SOSCG), the SpeakWithMe early intervention manual for children with speech delays, and a manual for neonatal phototherapy services in health clinics.
SOSCG, first introduced in 2008, now includes six new sections and 18 additional topics, with its previous edition adopted nationally in 2022.
The SpeakWithMe manual aims to cut long waiting times for speech therapy, while the phototherapy manual expands community-based treatment for neonatal jaundice, already benefiting over 700 babies in 2024.
State Family Medicine Head Dr. Haryati Hamzah said SOSCG reflects Sabah’s commitment to safe, effective, and empathetic maternal care.
Officiating on behalf of the Sabah Health Department, Dr. Nirmal Kaur described the guidelines as symbols of expertise and collaboration that strengthen the healthcare system.
The launch underscored the role of family medicine specialists as innovators, researchers, and collaborators, with the call for these guidelines to be fully applied in daily practice to ensure inclusive and compassionate healthcare for Sabahans.
