BALINGIAN: Balingian’s rural healthcare services will see significant improvements as the government moves to upgrade facilities and equipment at Kuala Balingian Health Clinic and Balingian Health Clinic to better serve local communities.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib said both clinics are in need of infrastructure enhancement and additional medical equipment for better efficiency and service delivery.
Kuala Balingian Health Clinic, which has long been in operation, currently caters to about 50 patients from surrounding rural areas, while Balingian Health Clinic, despite having a larger capacity, also requires upgrading.
Hanifah, who is also Mukah MP, said strengthening the clinics’ ability to conduct basic diagnostic tests, particularly for chronic illnesses such as diabetes, is among the key priorities.
“We want to ensure patients no longer need to travel to Mukah Hospital or Bintulu Hospital just to confirm test results. These services should be available at the clinic level to speed up treatment and only refer cases to hospitals when necessary,” she said.
She said this to reporters after leading the Sarawak Borneo Health Tour (Series 2) at both clinics on Wednesday (Apr 29), aimed at assessing rural healthcare facilities and identifying the needs of the local population.
In addition, she revealed that the Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia has allocated nearly RM200,000 for medical equipment, including ultrasound machines, autoclaves and laboratory facilities.
“A request to replace ambulances with new ones is also being considered to enhance the efficiency of emergency services,” she said.
Hanifah added that the upgrading efforts will be carried out through collaboration between the MoH, the Sarawak State Health Department and the Mukah Division administration.
She hoped the initiative would strengthen rural healthcare services and ensure they meet the evolving needs of the community.
