TAWAU, El Sky News – The government’s firm commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure in Sabah was once again demonstrated today as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim officiated the opening of the new hospital block at Tawau Hospital.
The inauguration marks not just a physical expansion but also a strategic milestone under the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) plan to elevate Tawau Hospital’s capacity and service quality.
Targeting State-Level ACE Status by 2030
In his officiating address, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad highlighted that Tawau Hospital is now on track to achieve Category 1 State Hospital (ACE) status by the year 2030.
“The strengthening of Tawau Hospital’s capacity will continue in stages. With this new block equipped with modern facilities, it will enhance treatment capacity and specialist services for residents across Sabah’s east coast,” said Dr Dzulkefly.
An Accredited Centre of Excellence (ACE) refers to a hospital with an extensive range of specialist services and high operational capability, on par with other major state hospitals in Malaysia.
A Vital Role for Sabah’s East Coast
The upgrade is crucial given Tawau Hospital’s strategic position as the main referral hospital for the east coast of Sabah. The demand for high-quality healthcare services in this region has been steadily increasing, and the expansion aims to ensure that the hospital can manage its workload more efficiently.
The newly built block is expected to accommodate more complex and advanced treatments, reducing the need for patients to travel long distances to Kota Kinabalu for specialised care.
Prime Minister Anwar also reaffirmed that healthcare development in Sabah remains a top priority for the Unity Government, ensuring that no gap exists in access to quality healthcare services between Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo.
