KUCHING: Expanding access to cardiac care across Sarawak remains a key priority as the state advances its push for greater health autonomy.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said improving access to specialised treatment remained a key focus under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
He said the effort was aimed at ensuring Sarawak progresses alongside national development, rather than trailing behind.
“Sarawak wants to do well alongside Malaysia. If Malaysia does well, Sarawak must also do well. And if Sarawak does well, Malaysia will definitely do well,” he said.
He said this when officiating at the closing of the Malaysia MADANI Nationhood Seminar Programme with community leaders of the Kuching district at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex here on Thursday.
Dr Sim, who is also Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister, pointed to a clear disparity in healthcare access, particularly in the availability of heart centres across Sarawak.
He stressed that the state’s priority is not larger facilities, but more centres to improve accessibility.
He said Sibu, Bintulu and Miri should be among the locations equipped with such services.
“From Kuching to Miri, there is only one heart centre. But along Johor to Penang, over a similar distance, there are many. That is the gap we are talking about.
“We do not need very large centres, but we need more of them. Ideally, within every one to two hours of travel, there should be access to a heart centre,” he said.
