KOTA KINABALU: Better welfare support is needed to encourage doctors and healthcare workers to remain in rural and remote areas of Sabah, said Sabah Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) chairman Dr Brandon Patrick Senagang.
He said while the government’s efforts to repair and upgrade health clinics, district hospitals and other healthcare facilities were welcomed, the welfare of the doctors and healthcare workers serving in them should not be overlooked.
His call followed a town hall session with doctors in Keningau, including those serving in several rural and remote areas.
“What struck me most was meeting doctors from Peninsular Malaysia who have chosen to continue serving in rural Sabah for more than five years.
“They were not talking about wanting to leave Sabah. On the contrary, many shared that they were happy working here. They spoke warmly of supportive colleagues, welcoming local communities and patients who genuinely appreciate their service,” he said.
However, Dr Brandon said the lack of suitable and adequate staff quarters was repeatedly raised as a concern.
Rental accommodation was extremely limited or unavailable in some rural areas, while existing staff quarters were sometimes insufficient, old or dilapidated and in need of comprehensive repairs.
"As a result, some doctors are forced to live far from their place of work and commute long distances every day. Such journeys not only add financial cost and physical fatigue, but over time can also affect the physical and mental well-being of healthcare workers,” he said.
Those challenges were compounded by gaps in basic infrastructure in some areas, including interruptions to water and electricity supplies and poor road conditions.
He said the Sabah Government could assist by identifying or allocating suitable land for the development of healthcare staff quarters and improving roads, water supply, electricity, telecommunications and other basic amenities.
“We often speak about the shortage of doctors in Sabah, particularly in rural and remote areas.
“Financial incentives and allowances may have a role to play, but a doctor’s decision to remain in a particular area is also influenced by very basic considerations - do they have a safe place to live? Can their family live comfortably? Is the water and electricity supply reliable? Is the journey to work reasonable?” he said.
He added that retaining doctors in rural districts would also benefit patients through greater continuity of care, as doctors who stayed longer could build stronger relationships with communities and develop a deeper understanding of local health challenges.
“They are not asking for luxury. They are asking for the basics - a safe and suitable place to live, reliable water and electricity, and reasonable road access that allows them to carry out their work properly,” he said.
“Caring for the welfare of those who care for the health of our people is not merely an expense. It is an investment in the long-term sustainability of rural healthcare services in Sabah.”
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