Sarawak politicians from both sides appeal to Putrajaya to exclude the state from any budget cuts involving public healthcare and medical services
KUCHING: Politicians from both sides of the political divide in Sarawak have separately appealed to the Federal Government to spare the state from any upcoming budget cuts involving public healthcare and medical services.
Sarawak DAP and the Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) have issued separate statements calling on the Health Ministry to maintain all approved allocations for Sarawak, particularly for the repair of clinics and hospitals, as well as improvements to critical frontline facilities scheduled for this year.
Bandar Kuching Member of Parliament Dr Kelvin Yii, who is also DAP national youth chief, said Sarawak and Sabah must not be included in any healthcare budget cuts, as both states are already struggling to cope with increasing patient demand.
“We view with concern the recent announcement that the Health Ministry may face up to RM3.06 billion in budget cuts as part of the Federal Government’s move to reduce spending due to the difficult economic situation.
“We in Sarawak are appealing to Putrajaya not to implement any budget cuts affecting frontline health and medical services.
“Reducing approved allocations for Sarawak, and also Sabah, must not be considered at all.
“Both states are already facing serious challenges in providing basic healthcare and medical services for an ever-increasing number of patients.
“Any reduction will impact grassroots patients, especially those in rural areas,” Dr Yii said in a statement.
SUPP central Youth chief Kevin Lau, in a separate statement, said the Finance and Health Ministry must engage with the Sarawak government to clarify the scope of the proposed cuts.
“We want to know the exact details of the budget cuts and which sectors will be affected.
“We in Sarawak are already struggling with serious constraints in terms of health and medical facilities, especially with the steadily increasing number of patients and rising costs of medical supplies.
“Rural hospitals and clinics in Sarawak are also in dire need of infrastructure repairs and facility upgrades.
“Budget cuts for healthcare in Sarawak will have serious consequences for grassroots communities,” he said.
SUPP is a component party of the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak coalition.
Lau called on Putrajaya not to proceed with any budget cuts affecting the healthcare sector in Sarawak and to consider alternatives that would not impact the provision of much-needed health and medical services.
Putrajaya recently announced it is considering billions of ringgit in national budget cuts amid growing financial constraints on the economy, driven by global developments, including the US-Iran conflict.
