1Malaysia Clinic

More 1Malaysia Clinic will be built this year to reduce the burden of clinics and cut queue time for patients.

Deputy Health Minister, Datuk Rosnah Shirlin said the Ministry will set up a total of 13 1Malaysia clinics this year, with six in Kota Kinabalu, two in Penampang and Sandakan and one each in Beaufort, Tawau and Keningau.

"If all the plans for the clinics are executed Sabah would have 20 1Malaysia clinics, making it the State with the most such clinics in the country.

"These clinics will provide outpatient treatment to high-density population areas in the State," she said on Friday.

Currently, six clinics have been set up, namely, two in Penampang, one in Taman Pengalat Besar, Bandar Sri Indah Tawau, Kudat's Maju Shopping Centre and Taman Sri Rugading in Tuaran. Another has been planned for Kota Marudu.

She said the two 1Malaysia Clinics in Sulaman Central in Kota Kinabalu and Bandar Leila Sandakan have already been upgraded to health clinics largely due to the increasing number of patients.

"With the upgrades medical officers have been placed in both clinics," she said.

She said apart from the 1Malaysia Clinic, the Ministry has also received allocation from the Prime Minister Department's Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) under the Rural Transformation Programme.

She said the allocations are in relation to projects in the rural areas across the State.

"Sabah has an allocation of RM11, 875,000 to roll out 27 projects covering rural clinics upgrades to health clinics, upgrades to health clinics and quarters.

"Another 26 projects worth about RM14.83 million will be presented by the State Health Department to the Ministry for approval," she said.

Among others, Rosnah explained that presently 13 family medical specialists have been placed in health clinics in Beluran, Lahad Datu, Semporna, Menggatal, Kota Kinabalu, Tamparuli, Tuaran, Apin Apin and Apas Balung.

"Placement of the specialists has improved on the clinical service quality.

This has benefited the nearby communities. The patients received treatment and quality counseling.

"The patients now, don't need to be referred to the hospital," she said adding that the Health Department currently aims to place one specialist for districts without one, like Tawau, Beluran, Kunak, Kudat, Pitas, Tenom and Kinabatangan by next year.