Sarawak needs blood bank, central lab alongside dental centre, says Dr Sim

KUCHING: Sarawak needs a regional blood bank and central laboratory alongside the planned Dental Specialist Centre in Kuching under Budget 2027 to strengthen its healthcare services, says Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.

He said further investment was also needed to address dilapidated healthcare facilities across the state and improve access to essential medical services.

“As for health care, a specialist dental clinic is a good start.  We also need a regional blood bank and central lab.

“As for dilapidated clinics and hospitals, Sarawak needs RM8.9 billion,” he said in a statement alluding to the recent tabling of Budget 2027.

Under the budget, Kuching will receive a new Dental Specialist Centre, one of nine new health facilities planned nationwide as the federal government steps up investment in healthcare infrastructure.

The project is among four specifically highlighted, alongside a Specialist Clinic Complex and Day Care Centre at Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor, as well as integrated health complexes in Gerik, Perak, and Rembau, Negeri Sembilan.

Meanwhile, on education, Dr Sim welcomed the federal government’s increased allocation for Public Service Department (JPA) scholarships.

However, he pointed out that Sarawak had already introduced free tertiary education for eligible students admitted to state-owned universities, with 42 per cent of the students also receiving monthly allowances.

Commenting on the overall budget, Dr Sim congratulated Anwar on presenting what he described as Malaysia’s biggest-ever budget.

However, he said the details of the allocations for Sarawak needed to be examined closely, particularly to determine how many projects were new initiatives and how many were continuations of existing projects.

“The devil is in the details,” he said, stressing the importance of assessing the actual benefits and progress arising from the allocations.

Dr Sim also expressed hope for more concrete progress on the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), which remains a key issue in Sarawak’s relationship with the federal government.

“We look forward to more concrete progress on MA63,” he said.