Sarawak govt to double places for medical students at Unimas

 Premier Abang Johari Openg also says University of Technology Sarawak is preparing its own medical faculty in two years' time.

Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg said the additional medical student intake at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak will be made possible through a special arrangement with the university. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

The Sarawak government will double the number of places for medical students at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) from 40 to 80 to help address the state’s doctor shortage, says premier Abang Johari Openg.

Abang Johari said the additional intake, to be funded by Yayasan Sarawak, would be offered through a special arrangement between the state government and Unimas, outside the usual Unit Pusat Universiti (UPU) channel.

“We have a special arrangement to increase the number of doctors because Sarawak is currently lacking them,” Borneo Post quoted him as saying in Kuching today.

He said all graduates sponsored under the arrangement would be required to serve in the state upon completing their studies.

Abang Johari also said University of Technology Sarawak in Sibu was preparing to establish its own medical faculty, although the process would require at least two years of groundwork.

He said the two years would be used to finalise arrangements for teaching staff and ensure compliance with stringent international quality standards.

The shortage of doctors in Sabah and Sarawak came under scrutiny again after health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said recently that only 63% of medical officers offered permanent postings in the two states this year had reported for duty. - FMT