UPKO suggests upgrading healthcare facilities for upcoming Sandakan city

21 Oct 2021

By Wartawan Nabalu News

KOTA KINABALU: Sandakan is in need of revamping in terms of healthcare facilities as the tabling of the national budget 2022 is drawing near.

United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) Malaysia Deputy Secretary-General Dr Peter Jr Naintin said that new facilities are needed as Sandakan will move from a nature city to a new city in the future.

Among the health facilities that he mentioned that need to be installed or upgraded are MRI and CT Scan, a new lab test, and upgrading the radiology. Besides that, operation theatre, and intensive care unit should also be added.

“Besides health facilities, Sandakan also needs a more trained specialist, such as neurosurgeons, orthopaedics, and endocrinologists.

“A new city should also at least must have two hospitals to carter 400 to 500 thousands of population in Sandakan,” he listed out his suggestions today.

He also mentioned that a University Hospital at Sandakan education hub should also be built.

Peter also proposed that more clinics be built and to upgrade existing clinics especially in the rural area which access to healthcare is limited.

Other than that, he said Sandakan must also upgrade its online services to provide access and services online for outpatient and a pharmacy online for order and pick up services.

Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said that a committee has been set up and approved to carry out systematic planning to elevate Sandakan town into the second city in the state.