KUCHING: Sarawak is accelerating reforms in the oral healthcare sector by strengthening digitalisation, expanding access to treatment and enhancing public-private collaboration to ensure more efficient and inclusive service delivery.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg stressed that a holistic approach to oral healthcare is a priority in line with the implementation of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP)
“As 2026 marks the beginning of the 13th Malaysia Plan, we are transitioning from the strategic planning phase to an implementation phase that delivers tangible results on the ground,” he said at the opening of the 14th Borneo Dental Congress & Trade Exhibition 2026 here yesterday (May 1).
His text-of-speech was read out by Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
Abang Johari said the oral healthcare sector must be given serious attention, noting that more than 3.5 billion people worldwide are affected by oral-related diseases.
At the same time, he emphasised the importance of synergy between the public and private sectors in strengthening the state’s healthcare system.
“I believe in the synergy between the public and private sectors, as the private sector plays a crucial role in building a strong and resilient healthcare ecosystem,” he added.
In efforts to expand access to treatment, he said the state government has allocated RM50 million for the Senior Citizen Health Benefit (SCHB) scheme, which is expected to benefit around 100,000 elderly individuals, including providing cashless outpatient treatment of up to RM500 annually.
In addition, he said Sarawak is strengthening its digitalisation agenda through the implementation of a RM10 million Cloud-Based Clinic Management System (CCMS), with 153 health clinics now digitised.
He stressed that Sarawak has the potential to emerge as a regional dental tourism hub, offering competitive treatment costs alongside high-quality services.
“We want to tell the world: come to Sarawak for dental treatment and enjoy the beauty of our rainforests and culture. Treatment costs here remain competitive compared to other countries without compromising quality,” he said.
He added that service expansion is also being carried out through initiatives such as the Mobile Dental Squad and the “Kampung Angkat Pergigian” programme to ensure treatment access reaches rural areas.
The congress serves as an important platform to strengthen professional collaboration and drive innovation in the dental sector, in line with Sarawak’s aspiration to become a regional leader in quality healthcare services.
