KOTA KINABALU: The State Health Department (JKNS) will be placing three permanent medical officers (MOs) and two temporary ones at Lahad Datu Hospital in July.
In a statement Saturday, JKNS said it took note of the issue of the current shortage of MOs faced by the hospital seriously.
“This swift action is essential to ensure that the continuity of clinical operations and core services at Lahad Datu Hospital are not affected,” according to the statement.
The statement said several proactive measures encompassing various strategies that have been and will soon be implemented to ensure the quality of healthcare delivery and patient safety in the district is continuously maintained.
The strategy focuses on the implementation of MO mobilisation through a cluster approach involving hospital assistance under the Kota Kinabalu Cluster Hospital and Tawau Cluster Hospital.
JKNS will also prioritise the distribution of contract MOs to facilities experiencing critical shortages in the near term and strengthen the control of outflow transfers to ensure workforce stability and the continuity of specialist services.
Meanwhile, Sabah Women, Health and People’s Wellbeing (KWKKR) Minister Datuk Julita Majungki said the priority at this time is to ensure that health services to the people are not affected.
She also said at this time the priority should be to ensure that disruptions to healthcare services are minimised, especially for patients who require emergency treatment and intensive care.
“At the same time, the issue of healthcare workforce needs to be viewed comprehensively because it not only involves the placement of officers but also the necessity to retain experienced workforce in facilities facing high service pressure,” she added.
