Severe shortage of doctors’ quarters in Sabah’s interior, says MMA

 The Sabah chairman of the Malaysian Medical Association says existing quarters are either dilapidated or unavailable.

The lack of suitable housing has led to some medical officers having to commute long distances, adding to physical fatigue and the risk of burnout, the Sabah MMA said.

PETALING JAYA:

Doctors serving in rural and remote areas of Sabah are suffering from a severe lack of suitable quarters, the Malaysian Medical Association said.

Dr Brandon Patrick Senagang.

Sabah MMA chairman Dr Brandon Patrick Senagang urged the federal government to give priority to providing basic accommodation and measures to care to the welfare of health personnel serving in the interior.

Staff quarters must be treated as a crucial component of healthcare infrastructure to help retain medical staff in rural communities, he said.

He said there was a severe shortage of suitable staff quarters, with existing quarters either dilapidated or unavailable, the Daily Express reported.

The lack of nearby housing had forced some medical officers to commute long distances, adding to physical fatigue, financial strain and the risk of burnout, he was quoted as saying.

Poor road conditions and frequent disruptions to water and electricity supplies in remote districts also worsened their living challenges.

Brandon called for existing quarters to be repaired immediately, as well as for sufficient housing to be included in future clinic planning.

He said investing in safe housing and reliable basic amenities was essential to retaining dedicated health workers and ensuring the long-term sustainability of health services for rural Sabahans. - FMT