KOTA KINABALU: The Health Ministry looks forward to forming a strong collaboration with Sabah government to tackle health issues in the state.
Its Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said Sabah was lagging behind some states in health as well as in education sectors.
“In terms of health facilities, there is a need to upgrade existing clinics and hospitals here in Sabah. I have discussed (with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal) on financial allocations,” he told reporters after paying a courtesy call to Shafie at the Chief Minister’s official residence, here.
Also present were Health and People’s Wellbeing Minister Stephen Wong Tien Fatt and Sabah Health Department director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi.
Meanwhile, Shafie put strong emphasis on improving health infrastructure and services, stressing projects on health development must be well coordinated between the state and Federal governments.
“If we can manage (infrastructure) properly, I believe we will be able to improve health aspect. Sabah has its own health ministry so that we can monitor (the aspect) ourselves,” he said.
Commenting on announcement by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in making Sabah and Sarawak an equal partner, Shafie said: “It has to be realised. However, we have to go to the detail part of it, in which particular area needs devolution of power.”
Shafie also reiterated that he had informed Dr Mahathir on Sabah’s stand on the 20 percent oil royalty, adding it would take time for the federal government to look into some of the aspects.
“I told (Dr Mahathir) if you give a position to one individual as a board of director, you make that one individual happy.
“But if you give 20 percent to Sabah and Sarawak, you make three to four million of people happy. We are building a nation,” he said.