Kota Kinabalu: The newly-formed Sabah government, through its new Ministry of Women, Health and People’s Wellbeing, will prioritise women’s empowerment, healthcare services and social welfare initiatives in 2026.
Its Minister, Datuk Julita Majungki said this is in line with the recently announced 2026 State Budget which reflected the State government’s firm commitment to enhancing the wellbeing of all segments of society, particularly vulnerable groups, through inclusive and holistic policies, progressive, relevant, and dynamic manner.
She said women’s contributions to Sabah’s development had been further recognised through the rebranding of her ministry, with new programmes introduced to strengthen economic participation and family resilience.
“The role and contributions of women in steering the development of the State are recognised and prioritised through the rebranding of my Ministry as the Ministry of Women, Health and People’s Wellbeing.
“Accordingly, efforts to empower women will be further intensified through new programmes, in addition to existing ones, as follows:
i) Sabah Women Affairs Department (Jhewa) BizBloom Programme, which provides entrepreneurship training, basic business skills, and mentor guidance for the empowerment of women, particularly single mothers and women from the B40 group.
ii) Women’s Wellbeing, Excellent Families Programme, which provides awareness and family management skills covering parenting, marriage, and men’s and women’s health.
iii) Expansion of the GENDERasi Harmoni Programme to 10 districts to enhance understanding among rural communities on gender equality, gender-lens–based development, balanced social roles, and the formation of harmonious and inclusive communities.
On healthcare, Julita said the ministry would continue providing assistance for haemodialysis treatment charges at all government health facilities in 2026, benefiting an estimated 2,219 kidney patients, which is in line with the Ministry’s direction to strengthen health services in the State.
She said the initiative forms Phase Two of the SMJ “Sabah Sejahtera” Health Assistance Scheme, following the distribution of 100 haemodialysis machines to 25 government facilities earlier this year.
In the area of welfare, Julita said ‘School Social Assistance Programme’ will be maintained next year, covering 1,074 primary schools statewide to help ease parents’ financial burden and Sabah remains the only state to continue offering such assistance.
“Support for vulnerable groups - including senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PwDs), children and single mothers – as well as disaster relief aid, will also continue.
“Existing programmes such as Homeward, Child Development Centres and Sabah Autism Centres in Sandakan, Tawau and Beaufort will be strengthened, with the Tawau Autism Centre expected to open in mid-January 2026,” she said.
Julita said her ministry is also expanding elderly care services including the provision of the elderly care institutions.
“The Inanam Senior Citizens and PwDs Complex, which provides paid care services, psychological support, vocational training and employment opportunities for PwDs, is expected to be completed in August 2026.
“In addition, the Telupid Independent Senior Citizens Home, which targets participation from healthy and self-reliant elderly individuals who are capable of working, and without accommodation, is expected to be completed in March 2026.
“Furthermore, Daycare services under the Merpati Day Care Centre initiative will also be introduced next year, beginning at Sri Pritchard Senior Citizens Home in Kinarut and locations in Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau,” she said, while adding that these centres will provide daily care services, support, and social activities.
Addressing drug abuse, Julita said the ministry had conducted an impact study on Malaysian Anti-Drugs Association (Pemadam) programmes in 2025, which will serve as a guide and reference for the development of new and more effective programmes.
She also pledged that her ministry will also remain committed to strengthening programs related to unity, the family institution, and consumer affairs in 2026.
Responding to Merotai assemblyman Sarifuddin Hata, Julita said the Ministry of Health (KKM) has made long-term plans to build a Type Two Health Clinic in Taman Sejati to replace the existing facility operating from a commercial lot.
She said this new Type Two Clinic is capable of treating up to 800 patients daily and offering family medicine specialist services, is pending site identification.
“The Sabah State Health Department is still in the process of identifying a suitable site of at least five acres in the area to be included under the Malaysia Plan (RMK).
“However, as a temporary solution, patients may opt to seek treatment at Tawau Hospital and Kinabutan Health Clinic to avoid congestion at Kubota Clinic and Taman Semarak Health Clinic,” she said.
Responding to Kapayan assemblyman Chin Tek Ming, Julita said every design of all elderly care facilities in Sabah must comply with architectural specifications and functional standards set by the Ministry of Health Malaysia for health facilities.
“The design must also receive approval from the Fire and Rescue Department for fire safety, including emergency exits and fire-fighting equipment.
“In addition, the District Health Office will ensure that cleanliness and sanitation standards are adhered to,” she said.
Responding to Balung assemblyman Syed Ahmad Syed Abas, JUlita said in view of the significant increase in autism cases among children in the State, the Sabah Autism Center (Paus) Kota Kinabalu was established and began operations on Aug 14, 2025.
She added the center provides quality and affordable early education for children with autism aged between three and seven.
“The Sabah Autism Centre in Kota Kinabalu, which began operations on Aug 14, 2025, will be expanded to Tawau, Sandakan and Beaufort, with the Tawau centre scheduled to open in mid-January next year.
“It is hoped that the opening of this center will help ease the financial and daily burdens faced by parents,” she said.
