There is only one hospital in the biggest district of Sarawak

On average, 86.1% of Malaysian households need to travel less than 5km to reach the nearest health centre. However, the number of households in East Malaysia that have to travel more than 5km to reach a health centre is far greater than the Peninsular.

 

30.3% of households in Sarawak need to travel more than 9km to reach the nearest health centre. It is the highest percentage compared to the other states, following is Sabah with 20.2% households.

 

Malaysia, Malaysia Indicator, health, Sarawak

 

Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia. According to Wikipedia, the state consists of five divisions and 12 districts, with Kapit being the largest district.

 

Malaysia, Malaysia Indicator, health, Sarawak

 

Malaysia, Malaysia Indicator, health, Sarawak

 

The statistics from the official portal of Sarawak Government identified that the population of Kapit is 101,847 people. However, according to Google Maps, the division has only one health centre, Kapit Hospital.

 

Malaysia, Malaysia Indicator, health, Sarawak

 

As of 2014, Kapit Hospital lacked surgeons and patients in need of surgeries have no other option but to be transferred to Sibu on a three-hour express boat journey.

 

In 2016, it was reported that Kapit Hospital was in need of a CIT scan, as travelling to Sibu was time consuming and the health of the patients could be at risk.

 

With the growing population and household in Sarawak each year, perhaps improvements for Kapit Hospital could be made, or new hospitals and health facilities need to be built to ease the burden of Sarawakians, especially the ones living in the rural areas.