Jefferson Jamit Unyat
KAPIT: The federal government has been asked to construct a new multi-storey building for Kapit Hospital to provide the necessary care to the fast-growing population.
Bukit Goram assemblyman Jefferson Jamit Unyat said a new block in the hospital compound would be the best way to upgrade services at the hospital.
“We can’t depend on visiting medical officers all the time. We need them to serve in Kapit,” he said in an interview.
He pointed out the 135-bed district hospital currently serves Song, Kapit, and Bukit Mabong districts, including remote villages in Long Busang and Long Unai, Belaga.
“Currently due to limited space to accommodate the medical equipment and lack of specialist services, the hospital only provides general care and more serious cases are referred to Sibu Hospital.
“According to records, almost daily, critical patients have been brought to Sibu, which is inconvenient and time consuming. Medical referral of patients to Sibu, either by express boat or ambulance over three hours, is a distance of some 150km,” he explained.
He said Kapit Hospital does not have specialist services such as CT scans; orthopaedics; eye clinic; ear, nose and throat (ENT); neurology; surgical; cardiology; and haematology; which require visiting medical officers from Sibu Hospital.
Jamit added he would discuss the issue with Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi as well as raise the matter with the government.