KUCHING: Sarawak is proposing to double the intake of Sarawakian medical students at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) from 40 to 80 places as part of efforts to address a shortage of doctors in the state’s healthcare facilities.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said he discussed the proposed increase with UNIMAS’ vice-chancellor yesterday, with all expenses to be fully sponsored by Yayasan Sarawak.
“This is because we are facing a shortage of doctors, with various health issues emerging in the state. We need more doctors, but many doctors who receive scholarships from outside Sarawak are reluctant to come and serve here.
“That is the problem. We currently have a shortage of more than 1,000 doctors, and we need to produce our own doctors through our universities,” he stressed.
“They do not have to go elsewhere; they can serve in Sarawak. If doctors from Peninsular Malaysia are unwilling to come here, then we must produce our own. We need our own doctors to serve our own people.”
Abang Johari said this at the 33rd Sarawak Premier Special Awards and Sarawak Education Award 2026 at Hikmah Exchange Event Centre here today.
Speaking to reporters later, he said the additional 40 places would be arranged directly with UNIMAS rather than through the Malaysia’s centralised online admission system (UPU).
He said the programme would begin with the start of the relevant semester, while students would be bonded to serve in Sarawak upon completing their studies.
“Most of them will be Sarawakian students. We are prioritising our own children because graduates from other states are often reluctant to come here to work.
“Therefore, we must develop our own talent so that our children will serve in Sarawak,” he said, adding that the state currently had 1,200 vacancies in its clinics.
On plans to expand medical education to other state-owned institutions, Abang Johari said Universiti Teknologi Sarawak (UTS) in Sibu was preparing to establish a Faculty of Medicine.
He said the preparations would take at least two years, involving the recruitment of teaching staff and the provision of facilities to meet internationally recognised standards.
“We must ensure that it meets the required standards. It must meet university-level standards, which are high. Usually, this involves collaboration with other universities that can serve as benchmarks,” he added.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari said developing local expertise was crucial to addressing healthcare challenges, adding that the Sarawak Government was prepared to channel its resources into education to prepare the younger generation for the emerging economy.
He said Yayasan Sarawak had spent approximately RM200 million on scholarships, reflecting the state’s commitment to developing local human capital.
He also highlighted the importance of research in tackling healthcare issues, citing findings from the Tropical Disease Research Centre which indicated rising trends in certain diseases in rural communities.
Among the concerns was an increase in worm infection cases in some rural areas, potentially linked to people walking barefoot.
He also cited research findings in Serian indicating a potentially high prevalence of breast cancer, with genetic factors identified as one possible contributing factor.
“We must find solutions to these healthcare challenges, and naturally, we need specialists to address them,” he said.
As part of efforts to strengthen local expertise, he said a UNIMAS graduate who had obtained a Master’s degree was being sent to London to pursue a PhD in tropical diseases to contribute to the state’s healthcare research and development.
