Federal government urged to obtain cardiology services from private hospitals to meet demands at public hospitals

SIBU. July 3 2026: Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dr Annuar Rapaee has suggested that the federal government obtain cardiology services from private hospitals if it is unable to provide sufficient capacity at government hospitals to ensure patients receive critical heart treatment without delay.

Caption: Deputy Minister Dr Annuar Rapaee suggests if the federal government cannot provide services to the people, then it should purchase the services from other parties for the benefit of the people

He said that this approach would not only reduce the waiting time for patients, but also ensure that access to treatment could be provided at necessary times.

“If the federal government cannot or is unable to provide cardiology services, they should purchase the services from other parties instead of letting patients wait for years.

“Here, we already have cardiology services. Why not send patients here to undergo coronary angiograms or coronary angioplasty.

“If the federal government cannot provide services to the people, then the government should purchase the services from other parties for the benefit of the people,” he said when officiating the launch the Catheterisation Laboratory (CathLab) and Cardiology Services of the Rejang Medical Centre (RMC) here,

The Nangka Assemblyman added that patients who face long waiting times at government hospitals should also be referred to private hospitals so that treatment can be provided in a more timely manner.

According to him, such an approach is more cost-effective because the government does not have to bear the expenses of maintaining facilities or face the issue of frequent changes of medical officers.

“From an economic point of view, it is a better option. The government does not have to bear the cost of maintaining the facilities and does not have to worry about the high turnover rate of doctors.

“Doctors in government hospitals often resign and move to other places, while specialists in the private sector usually serve for longer periods,” he said.

In the same development, Dr Annuar described the establishment of the CathLab at RMC as a significant achievement poised to strengthen cardiac treatment services in the central region of Sarawak.

He said the facility allows primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures to be performed immediately on heart attack patients, thus increasing the chances of saving lives and benefiting residents in Sibu and nearby areas including Kapit, Sarikei, Mukah and Kanowit.

Also present were Bukit Assek Assemblyman Joseph Chieng Jin Ek, Senator Robert Lau Hui Yew, RMC Chief Executive Officer Dr John Tang, Political Secretary to the Sarawak Premier Joshua Ting and Sibu Municipal Council (MPS) Chairman Clarence Ting Ing Horh.