LAWAS, Aug 27 2026: The soon-to-be-opened Lawas Hospital needs more medical professionals to operate at full strength, Ba’Kelalan State Legislative Member Baru Bian has said.
He said the hospital can support up to 1,014 staff, but only around 300 positions are currently filled.
“Of these 300 personnel, only 20 are locals,” he said in a statement.
He urged qualified Sarawakians—especially those from Lawas—to return and serve here, adding that this is a rare opportunity to work in a brand-new hospital with state-of-the-art facilities, in an environment built for both comfort and purpose.
“Your skills will not only transform lives but also help shape the future of healthcare in northern Sarawak,” the former Works Minister said.
He visited the new hospital, alongside its director Dr Douglas Chu Kin Soon, ahead of its official opening on September 7 2026.
“For years, the people of Lawas have waited for this moment,” he said, adding that the project, was supposed to begin its construction in 2011 and to be completed by 2016, but it had not even started by the time he became Works Minister in 2018.
“One of my top priorities was to push for retendering—which was completed in 2019—and today, I’m proud to see this long-delayed vision finally realised, despite the many challenges along the way,” he noted.
Classified as a ‘Hospital Berpakar Minor’, this is a modern, well-designed facility and, as Dr Douglas shared, one of the most advanced in Sarawak.
The bed capacity has doubled to 76 standard beds, with 4 additional beds in the High Dependency Unit—meeting the growing needs of Lawas and surrounding communities.
Most importantly, residents will no longer need to travel to Limbang, Miri or Kuching for essential care.
Baru said he was deeply impressed by the thoughtful design: new patient beds, a fully equipped lab and pharmacy, a well-appointed kitchen, a secure records room, and a dialysis area expanded to more than double its previous capacity.
He added accident and emergency department is spacious and includes a dental unit, particularly touching was the dedicated study room in the Paediatric Unit, where children with long-term illnesses can continue their education—even sit for exams.
These details show a deep understanding of patients’ real-life needs.
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