KUCHING: Sarawak has made significant progress towards achieving health autonomy with the establishment of the Sarawak Medical Committee, as part of its efforts under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

Sarawak Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Professor Dr. Sim Kui Hian, stated that the Sarawak Medical Committee will collaborate with the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) and plans to host its next meeting in Sarawak.

“We have informed them that Sarawak will eventually establish its own Medical Council,” he said during the Society of Private Medical Practitioners Sarawak's 50th Golden Anniversary Dinner at a leading hotel here on Friday.

Datuk Amar Dr. Sim also revealed that a Sarawak Private Health Institute Master Plan had been commissioned in partnership with the University of Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS).

He urged stakeholders to contribute their ideas and input to enhance this initiative, noting that the pursuit of health autonomy is a major step in the right direction, although it will take time to fully materialise.

“This is what we call health autonomy. It is a significant step, a roadmap that won’t happen overnight,” he added.

Also in attendance were Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Datuk Dr. Hazland Abang Hipni and his wife, Datin Dayang Halimah Abang Paul; President of the Society of Private Medical Practitioners Sarawak, Dr. Liew Shan Fap and his wife, Yong Liew Mei; President of the Malaysian Medical Association, Dato Dr. Kalwinder Singh Khaira and his wife, Datin Dr. Babita Kaur; Chairman of the Malaysian Medical Association Sarawak, Dr. Ong Eng-Joe and his wife, Dr. Christine Lee; along with other distinguished guests.-UKASnews