KUCHING: A special task force will outline proposals to expedite development and upgrading of dilapidated healthcare infrastructure and facilities in Sarawak.
The Sarawak legislative assembly was told the special task force would draw up the terms of reference for the task.
State Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Michael Tiang said under the initiative, the federal government will reimburse the Sarawak government for the entire costs at a later stage.
He added that this was under the concept of deferred payment or "other business model as may be agreed by both parties".
The task force would be jointly headed by the Chief Secretary to the Government and the State Secretary, he added.
Tiang said by adopting this proposed mechanism, the Sarawak government would be able "to proceed with the planned programme on addressing the dilapidated clinics and health facilities efficiently and at a lower cost".
"We will not wait for the funds to be made available by the federal government to do this.
"The proposed mechanism will push forward the long-awaited critical healthcare projects that have been delayed due to various factors, especially funding.
"This initiative will enable the Sarawak government to assist the federal government and Health Ministry in speedily upgrading healthcare services for the rakyat by providing better equipment in our healthcare facilities," Tiang added.
Responding to a query, Tiang said a clinic or facility was deemed dilapidated "based on the poor physical condition of the clinic buildings".
"They include severely damaged structures, dysfunctional mechanical or electrical systems which directly affect the clinic operations or other safety risks such as structural settlement, building cracks and fire hazards."
There were 206 rundown clinics and health facilities in the state with 51 of them in urban areas, he told the assembly.
Tiang said that last year, the Health Ministry approved 39 projects, valued at RM8.497 million, to upgrade dilapidated clinics and healthcare facilities in the state.
They include partial repair of infrastructure, provision of treated water, rewiring, replacement of genset and repainting works.
For this year, RM19 million has been allocated, he said, for repairs to another 39 dilapidated clinic projects including six in urban areas.
Under the fund, one clinic will be rebuilt while the other 38 projects will involve the upgrading and improvement of infrastructure, acquiring equipment and enhancing medical services in under-served areas.