KUCHING: Sarawak will double the intake of new medical students at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) from 40 to 80 as part of efforts to produce more local doctors and address the state’s shortage of medical personnel.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg said the move was part of the state government’s long-term efforts to address a shortfall of more than 1,000 doctors.
He said the decision to increase the intake was discussed with Unimas vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit yesterday to strengthen the university’s capacity to produce more doctors.
The state government would prioritise the enrolment of Sarawakians through Yayasan Sarawak sponsorship to ensure more local students had the opportunity to pursue medical studies, he said.
Abang Johari said the shortage had become more pronounced as some doctors offered postings in Sarawak, particularly those from the peninsula, failed to report for duty.
This had made it difficult to fill vacant positions, he added.
“So, we need to produce doctors from among Sarawakians so that they can serve in their home state,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after the 33rd YAB Premier of Sarawak Special Awards and Sarawak Education Awards 2026 ceremony at Hikmah Exchange Event Centre here today.
Abang Johari said the state government needed to take a more proactive approach by increasing the number of locally trained doctors rather than continuing to rely on medical personnel posted from outside Sarawak.
In a related development, he said the state government was also planning to introduce a medical programme at Universiti Teknologi Sarawak (UTS) in Sibu.
However, he said the proposal was still at the preparatory stage and required further assessment to ensure the programme met academic standards and international benchmarks.
Preparations would include recruiting qualified lecturers, providing teaching facilities and establishing collaborations with other universities with recognised expertise and standards, he said.
“If we want to implement it, at least two years will be needed for preparations, including securing teaching staff and meeting the required international standards,” he said.