Sabah Leads the Way in Inclusive Healthcare for Persons with Disabilities

31 January 2026

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah continues to move forward by emerging as a pioneer state in strengthening the active involvement of the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) community in the national health agenda, positioning the state at the forefront of implementing inclusive healthcare practices.

This development is marked by the appointment of experienced Medical Officer Dr Sabrina Moahmmad as a Member of the Advisory Panel of the Jalan Kebajikan Health Clinic for the 2026–2029 term, a move described as strategic and progressive towards realising the Health for All agenda.

The Advisory Panel serves as a key driver of community engagement and acts as a strategic link between local communities and the Health Department in planning, managing and implementing inclusive and comprehensive community-oriented health programmes.

Through this approach, public participation—particularly among the PWD community—is no longer passive. Instead, they are directly involved in planning processes and in supporting the implementation of health initiatives, ensuring that programmes are more effective and aligned with the actual needs of the community.

Dr Sabrina, who is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health, also holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and Diplomacy. Her research focuses on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the areas of health, well-being and social justice.

She also brings extensive experience in health administration and advocacy through her role as Health Liaison Officer to the Sabah Minister/EXCO for Health, in addition to her active involvement in non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including serving as President of Alzheimer’s Disease Sabah and Deputy Chairperson of the Malaysian Professional Women Secretariat.

The combination of her professional, academic and field experience makes Dr Sabrina well placed to integrate health policy, programme implementation and community voices, further strengthening Sabah’s position as a national reference point in the development of an inclusive healthcare system.

Commenting on her appointment, Dr Sabrina stressed that the success of the health agenda cannot rely on the healthcare system alone.

“Health is not the responsibility of the health system alone. Active community participation, particularly from the PWD community, is the lifeblood of the success of the Health for All agenda. Sabah is now proving that inclusive approaches and two-way communication ensure every voice is heard and every programme delivers real impact for the people,” she said.

As a member of the Advisory Panel, she is expected to play a key role in strengthening networks between communities and the Health Department, while also driving active public participation in health initiatives at the grassroots level.

With the expertise and experience she brings, health programmes in Sabah are expected to be planned and implemented in a more inclusive, systematic and high-impact manner, particularly in enhancing the well-being of persons with disabilities.

The approach pioneered by Sabah is seen as being in line with national and global aspirations to ensure equitable, high-quality and comprehensive access to healthcare, and is therefore worthy of being adopted as a model by other states nationwide.