BINTULU: The establishment of Sarawak Medical Technology Innovation Hub (SMITH) will breathe life into the development of medical and pharmaceutical sectors in the state.
Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dr Annuar Rapaee said before the Covid-19 pandemic, he raised with the Premier the idea of establishing Sarawak’s medical research innovation hub.
“I told the Premier that we, Sabah, and Kalimantan do not have any pharmaceuticals. We cannot even produce our own pharmaceuticals although we need the basic tablets and medicines,” he said.
He was speaking on behalf of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the groundbreaking ceremony for SMITH at Tanjong Kidurong.
Dr Annuar the SMITH would lead to the production of more health and medical products. It would also reduce dependence on equipment and medicines from abroad.
He said the hub would be a major player in the future, so SMITH could also expand the training of professional and trained nurses to get them on par with their counterparts in developed countries.
