Julita (centre) receives a memento during the programme.
KOTA KINABALU (June 27): The federal government has been urged to implement targeted measures to address the migration of medical specialists from the public to private sector, as Sabah continues to grapple with longstanding healthcare workforce shortages.
State Minister of Women, Health and People’s Wellbeing Datuk Julita Majungki said the issue requires a comprehensive response from the Ministry of Health (MOH), including tackling underlying factors such as welfare, facilities and incentives.
“We hope the Health Ministry can look into the factors contributing to this migration and implement specific interventions to prevent or reduce it,” she told reporters after launching ‘Program Sabah Sihat 2.0’ at the lawn bowls court of the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex.
Julita said Sabah has faced a shortage of medical specialists for years, describing it as a longstanding challenge rather than a new issue.
“For Sabah, this is not a new problem. It is a challenge we have faced for quite some time. It is now time for the government, particularly the Health Ministry together with the state government, to look into welfare, facilities and possibly better salaries or incentives,” she said.
Despite the constraints, she said the state’s healthcare system continues to function while efforts are being made to increase the number of specialists.
Meanwhile, Program Sabah Sihat 2.0 promoted healthier lifestyles to help reduce long-term pressure on the healthcare system. The programme featured health screenings, exhibitions and Rahmah sales, attracting about 1,000 participants from various ministries and agencies.
Julita said Sabah is also seeing a rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory illnesses, underscoring the need for early intervention through healthier lifestyles.
She urged the public to adopt regular exercise, balanced nutrition, routine health screenings and better mental health care as part of their daily lives, stressing that prevention remains key as the state works to address broader healthcare challenges.
