KOTA SAMARAHAN: Sarawak’s first teaching hospital, the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) Teaching Hospital, will address the shortage of medical personnel by producing over 200 medical officers by 2030.
Unimas vice-chancellor Prof Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit said the RM480 million project, spanning 27.37 acres, is progressing as planned, with 52 per cent completion achieved and operations expected to begin by mid-2026.
He added that the teaching hospital would play a crucial role in training specialists and medical officers while catering to the healthcare needs of the surrounding communities.
“At present, Sarawak faces a shortage of doctors and specialists serving its hospitals, whether at Sarawak General Hospital in Kuching, Sibu or Sarikei.
“To address this, we are working with the state government through an undergraduate initiative where 40 per cent of medical students are state-sponsored. Upon graduation, they are required to serve the state.
“This 10-year programme aims to supply around 200 medical officers to Sarawak by 2030, ensuring sufficient medical personnel for the state,” he told Sarawak Tribune today (Dec 27).
Prof Dr Ahmad Hata added that the 300-bed teaching hospital would serve residents in Kota Samarahan and handle selected complex cases.
He noted that the teaching hospital aims to supplement existing hospital such as the SGH by focusing on rehabilitation and reconstruction
“For example, while the Sarawak Heart Centre specialises in cardiac and kidney care, and a future cancer centre will focus on oncology, we aim to address gaps in rehabilitation and related services.”
Currently, Unimas offers only two specialist programmes – Public Health and Orthopedics. However, he confirmed that more specialist training would be introduced following the hospital’s completion.
“With these programmes, we can train specialists who will serve Sarawak. We hope the state government will continue sponsoring selected students and medical officers to serve the state as specialists.”
This collaboration between Unimas and the state, he said, aims to create a skilled workforce capable of delivering high-quality healthcare services to Sarawak’s citizens.
The hospital’s construction also benefits health studies students at Unimas by enhancing teaching and learning facilities and providing a closer venue for practical training.
Previously, students had to undergo practical training at SGH, located 25km from the Unimas campus.
Meanwhile, the Unimas Prima Health Centre, part of Phase One of the project, handles non-critical health cases and is equipped with X-ray rooms, a cough clinic, an eye clinic, a geriatric clinic, a medical laboratory and public health examination rooms.
The total cost of the Prima Health Centre and Teaching Hospital is RM564 million.
