KUCHING: Sarawak will need around 2,000 more doctors in the coming years to support its expanding healthcare network, particularly with the establishment of new cardiac centres in Sibu and Miri.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the shortage of medical professionals remains one of the state’s biggest challenges in delivering quality healthcare services to its growing population.
He said the demand for additional doctors is driven not only by Sarawak’s vast geographical landscape but also by ongoing efforts to decentralise specialist healthcare services beyond major urban centres.
“To achieve healthcare standards comparable with developed regions, Sarawak requires at least 2,000 additional doctors,” he added.
“We need not only general practitioners but also specialists, especially in cardiology, to support the operation of upcoming healthcare facilities.”
Dr Sim said this in his opening speech at the Borneo Cardiology Conference 2026 at the Pullman Hotel here today.
Dr Sim, who is also Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, said the planned heart centres in Sibu and Miri will help ease the workload currently borne by the Sarawak Heart Centre in Kota Samarahan.
He noted that while new hospitals and specialised facilities are essential, the availability of skilled medical personnel remains the determining factor in ensuring effective healthcare delivery.
“Buildings and medical equipment can be provided, but without enough doctors and specialists, healthcare services cannot be expanded effectively,” he said.
“That is why talent development and workforce planning must be prioritised alongside infrastructure investment.”
Dr Sim added that preparations are already underway to train and develop more specialists to meet future staffing requirements once the new cardiac centres become operational.
He highlighted Sarawak’s track record in specialist training, noting that approximately one in every 10 cardiologists practising in Malaysia received training at the Sarawak Heart Centre.
“Many cardiologists currently serving throughout the country began their professional training in Sarawak, demonstrating the state’s capacity to produce highly skilled specialists,” he said.
He added that the Sarawak Government will continue working closely with educational institutions and healthcare partners to strengthen medical training pathways and build a sustainable healthcare workforce.
According to Dr Sim, investing in human capital remains critical to the long-term success of Sarawak’s healthcare transformation agenda and efforts to improve access to quality treatment statewide.
“Our goal is to ensure every Sarawakian can receive quality healthcare regardless of location” he said.
“To make that possible, we must continue producing more doctors, more specialists and more opportunities for local medical talent.”
