SIBU: The locations for the workers’ quarters for health personnel in Sarawak has been identified and will soon be presented to relevant stakeholders, said Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni.
The Deputy Minister of Health said the proposal would also be presented to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and the responsible minister, focusing on the design and cost of the project.
“We are using the mechanism of advancing payments to the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health to implement these projects.
“Currently, we have received RM50 million from the Ministry of Health and another RM50 million from the state government.
“The Premier emphasised that this allocation will also be used to build quality quarters while we replace the clinics that have been identified across Sarawak,” he said when met by reporters after officiating the Agenda Nasional Malaysia Sehat (ANMS) and Bulan Malaysia Sehat at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Agama here today (Sept 7).
He added that the implementation period for the project is set to be 18 months
“This RM100 million project is a specific initiative for Sarawak, and at the same time, we are also conducting repairs and rebuilding clinics under the Bitara Madani programme, which we initiated last year.
“This year, we have around 39 dilapidated clinic projects that are ongoing, either with full replacement or addressing critical issues at health clinics across Sarawak,” he said.
On Thursday (Sept 5), Abang Johari, during the Malaysian Medical Association’s (MMA) 64th annual general meeting dinner, said Sarawak has allocated RM100 million for this purpose, and the allocation would serve as a form of loan, which should be reimbursed by the federal government.
Meanwhile, on the programme, the Sibuti MP said that there are 15 locations across Sarawak for the programme, which has been running since August 15 and will conclude at SMK Petrajaya, Kuching, on October 8.
“We will be gathering thousands of students throughout this ANMS tour,” he said.
He expressed hope of delivering an effective literacy programme to the younger generation, especially with the sharp increase in the use of electronic cigarettes.
“At the same time, we hope to implement a national-scale programme called War on Sugar, a campaign to combat sugar consumption, or we will promote reduced sugar intake in our daily diet,” he added.
Also present was Sarawak health director Dr Veronica Lugah.
