BY AWANG MUHAMMAD SYAHMI
MUKAH health service needs to be improved in terms of manpower and basic facilities.
Tellian assemblyman Royston Valentine said more nurses were needed in view of the increased number of patients.
“Six out of 11 medical officers who should be stationed at Mukah Hospital are the only ones available at the moment as some of the transferred officers were not replaced.
“Some of the nurses have to work a double shift as some of their colleagues are on maternity leave,” he said.
Royston said this when debating on the motion of appreciation for the TYT address on the fourth day of the 19th State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
He also stated that the basic facilities were outdated.
“Mukah hospital needs two ultrasound machines for use in emergencies and each unit is estimated to cost RM150,000 to RM200,000.
“This situation is very critical . We cannot take things related to the health service lightly. Appropriate actions should be taken,” he said.
On another matter, Royston said the Mukah Health Clinic had very short operating hours.
“The operation hours start from 11 am until 8 pm, but this needs to be reconsidered as there are residents who need to travel quite far from their longhouses and villages.
“Some of them need to carpool and take rental vans and this will definitely take some time,” he said.
As such, Royston proposed that the new operating hours be from 9 am to 6 pm to better cater to the people there.
