KUCHING: The Sarawak government’s initiative to expand its fleet of high-tech mobile dental buses has received overwhelming support from rural communities, who view the move as a vital step in bridging the healthcare gap between urban and interior regions.
The initiative aims to provide more accessible oral healthcare services, particularly for residents living far from district health clinics and hospitals.
Ratna Babil, a 40-year-old civil servant, noted that the scarcity of dental clinics in Sarawak’s interior remains a significant hurdle.
“I highly support this effort because dental clinics are usually located in the main districts and not in the villages like the Matu area.
“This bus service will allow villagers to reduce their transportation costs significantly,” she told Sarawak Tribune.
She added that the mobile service would also help alleviate the difficulty of securing appointments at existing landed clinics.
To improve the service, Ratna suggested expanding the fleet further and ensuring coverage in residential housing areas.
Awang Nasruddin Awang Marekan, 34, a fisherman from Lingga, described the move as a progressive and inclusive step that ensures rural health is not marginalised.
“Previously, obtaining treatment required high transportation costs.
“Even though there are roads to Sri Aman, it is difficult to find rental transport like cars or vans. Not all rural residents have their own vehicles,” he explained.
He recommended that the government inform the community of visit schedules earlier through community leaders or social media to allow residents to prepare.
He also suggested the buses serve as educational hubs for oral hygiene and that maintenance be prioritised to avoid breakdowns in remote areas.
Meanwhile, Althea Natasha Edwin, 28, a teacher based in Selangau, highlighted that the high-tech buses would overcome physical infrastructure barriers.
“For communities in the Sarawak interior, distance and infrastructure are often the main obstacles.
“This initiative brings the service directly to the people, which will indirectly increase the rates of early check-ups and reduce more serious dental issues in the future,” she said.
She urged that the service remain comprehensive, offering treatments such as fillings, scaling and extractions rather than just basic check-ups.
The expansion of the mobile dental fleet aligns with the state’s commitment to ensuring that even the most remote populations have access to modern medical facilities and professional specialists.
