MIRI: Nurses and midwives are “the backbone of healthcare” yet face mounting strain as Sarawak grapples with a critical shortage, remarked Datuk Sri Lee Kim Shin.
Speaking at a dinner celebrating nurses in Miri on Friday (Sept 26), Lee praised the profession for its compassion and resilience but cautioned that systemic challenges were threatening to overwhelm the workforce.
“Nurses and midwives are not only medical professionals but also the human connection for patients and families in their hardest moments.
“Their sacrifices, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, will never be forgotten,” he said.
Sarawak is experiencing a sharp shortfall in trained nurses, compounded by heavy workloads, staff burnout and difficulties in recruitment, especially in rural areas. Limited incentives and relocation support have made retention difficult, while demand for healthcare continues to climb due to an ageing population and rising rates of chronic illness.
“This is a vicious cycle. Understaffing drives burnout, burnout drives resignations, and patients are the ones most affected,” he pointed out.
He urged the Ministry of Health to prioritise Sarawak in its national planning, calling for more funding, resources and positions to strengthen the state’s nursing workforce.
The role of midwives was highlighted as critical. Often present at the most vulnerable moments in life, their work in safely delivering babies and supporting mothers was described as “a gift to families and the community”.
For many in the audience, the evening was also a reminder of the pressures endured during the pandemic. Nurses formed the frontline in hospitals and rural clinics alike, often working in isolation, with limited support.
Hospital Miri’s senior nursing staff, led by Matron Yuhanis Dee and Matron Rose Mary Jok, organised the event to recognise the sacrifices and dedication of their teams.
Lee also called on nurses to continue professional development and upskilling to ensure Sarawak’s healthcare system remains resilient.
“We must honour and support our nurses not just with words, but with action,” he said.
“Without them, healthcare simply cannot function,” he concluded.
