Deputy Premier warns proposed RM3.06 bln MOH cut may deepen S’wak hospitals’ capacity crisis

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, May 16: The proposed RM3.06 billion cut in operational expenditure for the Ministry of Health (MOH) could worsen the already critical capacity strain in Sarawak’s main hospitals, says Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.

According to TVS, Dr Sim, who is also the Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government, said the State’s main hospitals require more serious attention, particularly regarding funding allocation and healthcare manpower.

He elaborated that Sarawak’s healthcare facilities are currently operating under challenging conditions, including workforce shortages compared to hospitals in Peninsular Malaysia, citing the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH), which is facing high patient loads, with emergency units frequently operating beyond capacity.

“If there is a need to reduce allocations, Sarawak should not be the first state to face such cuts, considering the State has long been operating under shortages in manpower and healthcare facility capacity,” he said after attending the 4th International Nursing Students Conference 2026 (4th INSC 2026) at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) today.

He added that a 1,000-bed hospital in Peninsular Malaysia has a larger workforce compared to a hospital of the same capacity in Sarawak, which directly places heavy pressure on healthcare workers who have to manage high patient volumes amid manpower constraints.

Dr Sim expressed hope that the federal government will consider not affecting Sarawak’s healthcare sector in its cost-saving measures, as the State still requires strengthening in terms of facilities and workforce.

It has been reported that the Ministry of Finance (MOF) has proposed a reduction in operating expenditure across the health and higher education sectors as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s fiscal position.

While the MOH is expected to account for RM3.06 billion, the Ministry of Education is expected to face RM2.39 billion in cuts, making the two ministries account for the largest reductions.

This is followed by the Home Ministry (RM674 million), Treasury (RM664 million), Rural and Regional Development Ministry (RM571 million), Defence Ministry (RM508 million), and Education Ministry (RM466 million). — DayakDaily

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