TAMBUNAN: The district of Tambunan continues to grapple with a severe and prolonged lack of medical personnel, a situation that has now reached a critical point.
Sabah currently faces a shortfall of around 9,000 doctors, with only approximately 2,800 actively serving across the state.
Dato’ Victor Peter Paut, Head of the PGRS Tambunan Division, highlighted that the problem is worsened by a significant lack of specialist physicians.
He noted that more than 6,000 specialist doctors are needed to adequately serve the population, especially in remote areas.
He pointed out that district hospitals are also feeling the impact, with patients needing specialized care—such as cardiology or neurology—often having to be transferred to larger hospitals in the state capital.
His remarks came during a speech at the Tambunan Excellent Student Appreciation Ceremony on Saturday.
Doctors working in major urban hospitals are frequently overburdened, leading to high levels of fatigue and burnout due to excessive workloads, he added.
As a result of the staffing gap, patients often arrive early in the morning and endure long waits for treatment at public hospitals, particularly during busy periods.
“Nonetheless, I believe the State Government is aware of the issue and is actively exploring effective solutions,” Victor said.
“Our hope is that the relevant ministries will also direct greater attention to healthcare facilities in rural and isolated regions,” he emphasized.
