‘Cases requiring urgent surgery are also on the rise in rural hospitals such as Limbang Hospital’
LIMBANG: Rural districts in Sarawak, where the general population was once considered healthier than those in urban areas, are now experiencing a surge in serious health conditions such as heart failure, chronic hypertension and infectious diseases.
Sarawak Deputy Minister for Regional Development, Food Industry and Commodities, Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail said the state authorities are concerned about these health developments in rural regions.
“We are seeing a rise in health problems among rural communities, with an increase in heart failure cases, severe hypertension and infectious diseases.
“For example, in Limbang district, we are training healthcare personnel at the hospital to deal with these growing health issues, where patients require long-term treatment.
“Cases requiring urgent surgery are also on the rise in rural hospitals such as Limbang Hospital.
“Limbang Hospital urgently needs RM7 million to upgrade its surgical unit to cater for the surge in serious cases requiring operations,” he said when presiding over a talk on heart failure cases at the Limbang Civic Centre.
Dr Rahman said many rural districts like Limbang face logistical and geographical challenges, making it difficult for patients to travel to towns and cities for surgery.
“That is why Limbang Hospital must have upgraded surgical facilities so that patients can receive urgent treatment.
“A significant amount of funding is required for these rural hospital upgrades,” he said.
He also called on medical and health practitioners in rural areas to educate the public on the growing risks of hypertension, heart failure and infectious diseases such as tuberculosis.
Limbang Hospital serves a population of about 100,000 in the northernmost region of Sarawak.
