KUCHING: Sarawak recorded over 3,000 new cancer diagnoses last year, marking the highest number of cases in a single year to date.
This alarming rise in cancer cases has prompted significant progress on the plans for the state’s first dedicated cancer hospital, with a technical committee set to meet next week, announced Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.
Dr Sim, who is also the State Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister, stated that the meeting will involve officials from the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Public Works Department (JKR).
“The cancer hospital will be constructed by JKR Malaysia, and we are finally making progress,” he said during the Sarawak Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month event today at Sarawak General Hospital.
Colorectal cancer is now the second most common cancer in the state, after breast cancer.
“Cancer cases are rising every year. That is why having a dedicated hospital is no longer optional; it is a necessity,” Dr Sim emphasised.
While prevention and early detection remain a top priority, he acknowledged that many patients still require access to specialised treatment, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and palliative care.
Dr Sim stressed that the hospital must be more than just a physical building, it must be supported by trained professionals, modern equipment and integrated services that provide continuous care.
“It is not just about building walls. It is about creating a system that places the patient at the centre,” he said.
The cancer hospital is expected to significantly ease congestion at SGH and improve treatment timelines for cancer patients across the state, particularly those from rural areas who currently face long waiting times.
The cancer hospital also forms part of Sarawak’s broader effort to take greater control over its healthcare system, in line with the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
Dr Sim reiterated his call for the federal government to delegate more healthcare authority to Sarawak, including the management of hospitals and clinics.
“This is why we seek autonomy. Sarawak understands what Sarawak needs,” he said.
While no completion date for the cancer hospital has been announced yet, the upcoming technical meeting is seen as a breakthrough after years of discussion and delays.
“It is a long road ahead, but we have taken the first step, and that matters,” said Dr Sim.
