Sibu MP Oscar Ling suggests building the RM1 billion Sarawak Cancer Centre in Sibu, citing Kuching’s existing five hospitals and central region’s need.
SIBU: Sibu Member of Parliament Oscar Ling Chai Yew has proposed building the RM1 billion Sarawak Cancer Centre in Sibu rather than Kuching.
He cited Kuching’s already high concentration of hospitals as the primary reason for his suggestion.
“Kuching currently has the Sarawak General Hospital and Borneo Medical Centre, both offering cancer treatment including radiotherapy,” Ling said in a statement.
He noted that the Central and Northern regions of Sarawak currently lack comprehensive cancer treatment facilities.
Ling highlighted that two additional hospitals are under construction in Kuching – the Petra Jaya Hospital and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak teaching hospital.
This will bring Kuching’s total hospital count to five once construction is complete.
The Ministry of Health’s policy allows only one cancer hospital per state, according to the MP.
With Kuching already hosting the Sarawak Heart Centre, Ling argued Sibu would be a more reasonable location for the cancer centre.
He added that Sibu has long hoped for a comprehensive cancer treatment facility to serve patients from the Central region.
Ling welcomed the state government’s initiative to develop specialised hospitals using state resources.
He said this approach could provide affordable healthcare for Sarawakians while promoting medical tourism.
The development could also position Sarawak as a regional healthcare hub, according to the MP.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced on March 30 last year that the federal government had agreed to the cancer centre’s construction in the Samarahan Division.
Anwar noted that Sarawak was creating history by becoming the first state government to pre-finance a federal project.
This approach aims to expedite the project’s implementation, according to the Prime Minister.
Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said on October 9 that the federal government was finalising the centre’s details with the Ministry of Health.
The Ministry of Finance and Public Works Department are conducting an assessment lab on the project for further deliberation. – Bernama
