New Maternity Health Clinic under construction at Kampung Bintawa

KUCHING: Residents living near Kampung Bintawa here will be served by a new Maternity Health Clinic (KKIK) soon after the funds for it was approved by the State government under the Rural Transformation Plan (RTP).

Assistant Minister for Rural Electricity Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi said the project which cost RM499,894 will commence construction this month and expected to be completed by July this year.

“This is an effort by the Sarawak government, taking over the project to rebuild the clinic under RTP. We hope the construction of the clinic will go smoothly and complete on time,” he said at the ground breaking ceremony of the clinic site yesterday.

Dr Abdul Rahman who is also Pantai Damai assemblyman said that previously, the funding for the clinic was approved by the Federal government, however, when the Pakatan Harapan government won the last general election, it was retracted.

“We always hear complaints from villagers, especially pregnant women or with young children that they need healthcare but the existing clinic environment is not comfortable due to increase in the number of patients, making the place stuffy and not conducive to serve the needs of the people here.”

He added that the area from Boyan to Bintawa has 20,000 people and their needs have expanded.

At the same time, he urged the State Health Department and Ministry of Health to upgrade the services at the Bintawa clinic to include x-ray services, minor surgery and emergency service by providing an ambulance.

“These are our suggestions to the ministry and department so that we can fulfil the villagers’ needs by providing good healthcare service.”

The ground breaking ceremony was conducted by Santubong MP Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

Wan Junaidi said that once the single-storey clinic is completed, the dream of the villagers would come true.

“I am happy that finally this project is approved by the State government for the sake of the people, benefitting the villagers here,” he said.

Rentap (front, sixth left) hands over GPS flag to Lee (front, seventh left) during a segment of the event in Miri, witnessed by (front row, from fifth left) Snowdan, Ting, Penguang and other GPS component party members. Also seen are Rosey, who stands in front of Penguang, and Dennis (right).