Sabah engaging with federal government for greater healthcare autonomy

 By Olivia Miwil - March 6, 2025 @ 1:21am

Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam giving a speech during Parti Bersatu Sabah’s (PBS) 40th anniversary celebration at the Hakka Hall. -- NSTP/MOHD ADAM ARININ

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has engaged in discussions with the federal government to gain greater autonomy in healthcare, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam.

Dr Joachim met with Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad during a Sabah Health Development Joint Action Committee meeting at a hotel here yesterday.

"There are a few things we want from autonomy. The first, of course, is healthcare. If you look at the number of infectious diseases across Malaysia, Sabah still ranks the highest.

"So, we want aspects such as vaccination to be controlled by Sabah as well. This can be included in both the federal and Sabah lists," he told the media during the celebration of Parti Bersatu Sabah's (PBS) 40th anniversary at Hakka Hall here.

The PBS acting president added that the meeting also addressed hospital development and healthcare staffing.

Dr Joachim, who is also the state's Local Government and Housing Minister, said that beyond the technical aspects, the Sabah government is also examining the legal framework to enable shared authority.

In Malaysia, healthcare falls under the Federal List, meaning it is primarily managed by the federal government through the Health Ministry.

Under List I (Federal List) of the Ninth Schedule in the Federal Constitution, matters related to medicine, health, and sanitation (except for what is under local authority jurisdiction) are controlled by the federal government.

In Sabah, two key ordinances related to healthcare are the Public Health Ordinance 1960 and the Local Government Ordinance 1961.

He added that the meeting was crucial, as existing laws have caused inconveniences, including complications in repatriating bodies from overseas to Sabah.

"The Sabah government is continuously improving its administration. There is a point of authority for Sabah, and this will strengthen our efforts to enhance healthcare across the state.

"In fact, we have identified five areas of authority that will increase Sabah's autonomy in healthcare.

"These are policy matters, and we are hoping that by June this year—based on the timeline we have set—we can reach an understanding on the issues discussed."