By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah wants the Federal Government to prioritise the state’s critical healthcare needs, said Women, Health and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk Julita Majungki.
She said issues raised in Sabah should not only be documented but acted upon.
“While the healthcare system is under federal jurisdiction, we still have a responsibility to ensure Sabah’s needs are given due attention,” she said during a visit to Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH).
Julita said many of the challenges faced by major hospitals in Sabah are structural and cannot be resolved immediately.
“There is no quick fix. What we can do is ensure that critical issues are communicated more effectively and with greater urgency,” she said.
She was responding to feedback from hospital management on increasing patient demand and capacity pressures, reflecting broader trends across the state’s healthcare system.
QEH, one of Sabah’s main referral hospitals, continues to face high demand, with workloads rising in recent years.
Among the key issues raised were the need to strengthen capacity, enhance facilities and equipment, and improve operational efficiency to support service delivery.
Several proposals were also presented, including infrastructure expansion and improvements to patient flow and support services to ease congestion and optimise existing resources.
Julita acknowledged the heavy workload faced by healthcare personnel, describing their contribution as significant and often under-recognised.
“I can see that the workload here is very heavy. The sacrifices made by doctors, nurses and all staff are not easy and cannot be measured,” she said.
She added that the State Government will continue working closely with the Sabah Health Department (JKNS) and the Health Ministry (MoH) to ensure Sabah’s healthcare needs are consistently raised and pursued.
“We know there are limitations, including factors beyond our control, but what is within our capacity, we will do,” she said.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister I and Works and Utilities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, QEH director Datuk Dr Abd Kahar Abd Asis, Assistant Minister Datuk Rina Jainal and Permanent Secretary Datuk Maria Chong.
DURING THE VISIT …(seated) Julita (fifth left), Joachim (centre), Dr Abd Kahar (fourth right), Rina (fifth right), and Maria (fourth left), after visiting QEH.
