KUCHING: Sarawak is facing an increasingly critical shortage of doctors, with fewer than 4,000 medical practitioners currently serving in the state—far short of the estimated 6,000 needed to meet local healthcare demands in accordance with national standards.

Sarawak Deputy Premier and Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Amar Prof. Dr. Sim Kui Hian, revealed the alarming statistics during a media engagement at the 'Semurni Kasih Keluarga @ LPPKN Sarawak 2025' programme held recently in Petra Jaya.

“This is a serious situation that requires urgent attention. The majority of doctors serving in Sarawak are from Peninsular Malaysia, but this model is not sustainable in the long term,” he said.

Datuk Amar Dr. Sim noted that Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) produces only around 150 medical graduates annually. Even if every one of these graduates chose to remain and serve in Sarawak, it would still take more than a decade to close the current gap in manpower.

The reality, however, paints a different picture. A significant number of local medical graduates are opting to leave for opportunities abroad, citing better training, career specialisation and more competitive remuneration as key motivators.

“Our challenge is not only about the number of graduates but also retaining them in Sarawak. Higher salaries and more attractive professional development pathways overseas continue to lure our young doctors away,” Datuk Amar Dr. Sim explained.

He issued a heartfelt appeal to Sarawakians currently working abroad in the medical field to consider returning home and contributing to the local healthcare system.

“The pay might not match what’s offered overseas, but this is our homeland. Let us help our own people—not only as a service to the nation but also for the personal fulfilment it brings,” he added.

In response to the ongoing manpower issues, the Sarawak Government is seeking greater autonomy over healthcare matters, with the aim of overseeing its own recruitment and retention strategies tailored to the state's specific needs.

Among the state’s proactive measures is a collaboration with China’s prestigious Fudan University to establish a medical school in Sarawak. 

Fudan Medical School is internationally recognised and accredited by the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC), which would ensure high-quality medical education and training within the state.

During the same event, Datuk Amar Dr. Sim also visited the new LPPKN Sarawak Family Centre complex, which will soon house Borneo’s first Subfertility Clinic, scheduled to begin operations in the near future.

Also present at the programme were Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Dato Sri Nancy Shukri; Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department, Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) Mayor, Dato Hilmy Othman and several other dignitaries. - UKASnews