KUCHING: Nurses in Kuching and Miri should also be considered for the recently announced travel package for frontliners in Bintulu and Sibu.
Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) director Dr Ngian Hie Ung said while she welcomed the initiative introduced by Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, the package should ideally be extended to all healthcare staff across the state.
“If you ask me, of course we welcome such incentives. We will definitely support it,” she told reporters when met after attending the Organ Donation Week Awareness Programme at the SGH building here yesterday (Aug 17).
She added that extending the travel perks to nurses in other divisions would be well received.
“It all depends on where the travel package originates from. But of course, if it can be extended to everybody, that would be good. I’m sure all staff would welcome it,” she said.
Tiong had on Saturday (Aug 16) announced a special travel package for nurses in Bintulu and Sibu who had been directly involved in the state’s Covid-19 response.
The initiative called “Nursecation Holiday”, he said, was to recognise their contributions and sacrifices during the pandemic.
It also reflects the ministry’s commitment to recognise the crucial role nurses play in safeguarding public health, while also giving them the chance to unwind and travel with their families, he added.
“We want our nurses to enjoy quality time with their families.
“Therefore, we are introducing a special promotion — low-cost one-way airfare between Kuala Lumpur and Sibu or Bintulu — starting from just RM138,” he said.
Tiong said the initiative will eventually be extended to other healthcare professionals, including doctors and pharmacists.
“I will instruct my ministry’s director-general to include all these groups in upcoming packages. We cannot overlook them — they are all vital,” he added.
