SIBU: The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Sarawak Infectious Disease Council (SIDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is a step in the right direction towards advancing medical knowledge, promoting research excellence in biomedical sciences and fostering economic growth in Sarawak.
In making this commendation, former Bukit Assek assemblywoman Irene Chang said the health science industry in Malaysia has witnessed remarkable growth, forcibly accelerated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Sarawak, in apparent response to keep up with ongoing challenges posed by constant new health concerns has initiated several collaboration platforms and programmes aimed at demonstrating effective interventions in the field of community and public health.
“While this may represent significant progress in building up a local research driven healthcare system, this does not address the unfortunate reality that many of our Sarawakian Doctor of Philisophy (PhD) graduates in health sciences are currently struggling to secure a job befitting of their postgraduate degree in Sarawak.”Indeed, some of these postgraduates who are com
pelled by family circumstances to return to Sarawak after their studies, are now providing private tuitions just to stay gainfully employed,” she said in a press statement here today.
Chang, a lawyer by profession, stated that although generally due to the economic gap between the regions of the peninsula and Sarawak, fresh graduates from Sarawak often prefer to seek jobs in either the peninsula or abroad.
However recently, she pointed out that concerns have been raised by research scientists and senior researchers in health sciences that even if they wish to return to their hometown to contribute their expertise to Sarawak’s healthcare system, they are prevented from doing so due to limited job opportunities caused by funding constraints in research grants which in turn, lead to fewer research projects and reduced demand for researchers and postdoctoral positions in Sarawak.
According to her, Sarawak has endured years of neglect in its healthcare system, a vulnerability that was particularly exposed during the pandemic over the past three years.
It is now imperative for Sarawak, she stressed to prioritise human capital development by mobilising all available resources to nurture and retain her local talents in biomedical and health sciences.
She suggested this endeavour should encompass comprehensive training and support for all postgraduates in this field and to ultimately foster a skilled workforce capable of making significant contributions to research and innovation within the healthcare sector in Sarawak.
She pointed out that the goal is to build a community of local health science researchers who are better equipped to understand and effectively address the unique health challenges in Sarawak.
“With Indonesia’s plan to move their capital to Kalimantan in 20 years’ time, we should not waste any time in developing our own community of local health science experts and researchers in order to position ourselves as a medical and health tourism destination.
“A research-driven and progressive healthcare system will attract visitors seeking medical treatments, wellness programmes, and health check-ups, leading to a positive economic impact, potential job creation and economic growth.
“I therefore urge the Sarawak government to pursue more aggressively a research-driven healthcare system by creating and providing more research opportunities to our postgraduates in health sciences.
“Only through such efforts can they be assured of a clear career path in Sarawak and be encouraged to return home to contribute to our healthcare system and to reduce the brain drain and the loss of valuable human resources within the region of Sarawak,” Chang added.
