Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni stated that a new polyclinic will need to be constructed or the current one will have to be moved to a new location in order to accommodate the growing population in Sibu.
The Deputy Health Minister mentioned that these suggestions were put forward by Sibu Health Department head Dr Teh Jo Hun.
“I will bring up these options with the department for consideration,” he informed reporters after his visit to the Jalan Oya Polyclinic on Jan 16th.
He emphasized the urgency of exploring these options as the polyclinic, which was built over thirty years ago, has been deemed unsafe for use by the Public Works Department (JKR).
“Due to the increasing population in the town, the polyclinic is no longer able to accommodate the growing number of visitors, which currently stands at 1,000 per day,” he explained.
However, Lukanisman rejected the proposal to build a new polyclinic in the Teku area.
“We cannot relocate the polyclinic there, in north Sibu, due to the distance. The land is reserved for future plans,” he said.
“What we need to do now is secure an allocation from the Finance Ministry to address the issue with the Jalan Oya Polyclinic,” he added.
Prior to this, he also inspected Sibu Hospital to assess a leak on the ceiling and the installation of an MRI machine that cost RM3 million and was contributed by the Sarawak Heart Foundation.
The Deputy Minister was on the second day of his Borneo Tour to evaluate the health facilities in the state.
