Merotai wooden health clinic upgrade in 13MP
Published on: Wednesday, November 15, 2023
By: Lagatah Toyos
Ratib (left) receives a souvenir presented by Liew (second left).
TAWAU: The project to upgrade the wooden 41-year-old Merotai Besar Health Clinic will be included in the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13) next year, said Minister of Community Development and People’s Welfare, Datuk James Ratib.
He said the project would be given priority and would include an x-ray room and possible wards for rural residents.
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This year, he said, the Ministry of Health (KKM) under the Madani Government agreed to upgrade 50 health clinics in Sabah compared to only 23 before.
“So far, 30 projects have been implemented, and are currently in progress. And we will strive for an additional 20. In principle, the Ministry of Health has already approved the project to upgrade 50 health clinics uin the state,” he said.
Ratib, who is also Health Exco, said this after officiating the Merotai Harapan Healthy Carnival at the Merotai Besar Health Clinic, Saturday.
Also present were Sabah Rakyat Harapan Party President who is also PJKHRS Patron, Tan Sri Liew Yun Fah; Political Secretary to the Malaysian Minister of Health, Napsiah Khamis and Chairman of the Sabah People’s Hope Association (PJKHRS), Sammi Liew Sam Yi.
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Ratib hoped all clinic upgrade projects involved would be completed by the appointed contractors according to the set schedule.
“For example, on the land issue, I would like the Land and Survey Department (JTU) to help Federal Government agencies or departments to speed up the land acquisition process.
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“At the same time, I will contact other involved agencies such as Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) and the Water Department in order to provide the necessary utilities,” he said.
He would also meet the Minister of Housing and Local Government to ask Local Authorities at the district level to provide appropriate cooperation to the Federal Department officials.
He said the matter is crucial in ensuring that Federal Government projects directed to state governments can be implemented and completed promptly.
“We don’t want any more small things to result in useful projects failing to be implemented, including extending up to 10 years just because there is no cooperation between the officials involved between the State and the Federal.
“As State Health Exco, I will ensure that these officers can collaborate so that projects related to the welfare of the people can be completed,” he said.
Additionally, he suggested conducting house-to-house visits to reach 16 homeless and chronic patients.
He suggests Tawau Hospital and others also create cluster hospitals as practised among others at Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, Sabah Women’s and Children’s Hospital and Tuaran Hospital.
Through the cluster hospital program, he said, specialist doctors will visit patients from house to house which will definitely make it easier for people outside the city to receive treatment, even if not every day.
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