Recently, due to my health flashing a red light, I have been hospitalized at Sibu Central Hospital for many days. This is my longest stay at the hospital. Being present, witnessing the reality firsthand, as a patient, I deeply feel: the expansion of Sibu Central Hospital can no longer be delayed.

Therefore, I have compiled some information to write this commentary, hoping that both the Madani Federal Government and the Sarawak GPS Government will agree to support, approve, and implement the expansion plan as soon as possible. This is not just the expectation of the Sibu people, but also the collective welfare of the vast residents of the Rajang River Basin.

1. Reviewing History: From Lau King Howe Hospital to Central Hospital

The birth of Sibu Central Hospital itself was to solve the problem of the old hospital being overburdened.

• Predecessor (1936): Lau King Howe Hospital, established during the Rajah era, initially had only 55 beds to serve the Sibu population of about 10,000 to 15,000 at the time, but it actually covered the entire Rajang River Basin.

• Old Hospital's Plight (1980s): The number of beds increased to over 400, but the facilities were old, and space was seriously insufficient, making it unable to bear the regional medical burden.

• New Hospital Construction (1994): The present hospital located at 5½ Mile Oya Road began construction in 1991, was completed and operational in August 1994, and was officially opened on September 1 of the same year by the then Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Public Health of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Wong Soon Kai. He was the key figure driving the construction of this new hospital. The total cost of the project at the time was about RM 104.95 million.

This segment of history tells us that medical construction must stay ahead of demand.

2. Examining the Present: An Overburdened Regional Medical Hub

Currently, the scale of Sibu Central Hospital is roughly:

• Beds: About 642 to 662 beds

• Staff: About 2,012 people

The average ratio of 1 bed to 3 medical personnel is at a medium-tight level in the government hospital system. As the primary referral hospital for the central region of Sarawak, it has long been under immense pressure:

• Crowded outpatient clinics

• Bed shortages

• Insufficient specialist doctors

• Severe parking space shortage

These have long been the practical predicaments reflected by Sibu citizens.

3. Comparing to Neighboring Cities: Why is Sibu's Expansion Nowhere in Sight?

According to past government planning, Sibu Central Hospital was supposed to build a new building, expecting to add about 340 new beds, bringing the total scale close to the 1,000-bed level. However, regretfully, this expansion plan still remains at the planning stage.

Comparing the progress of hospital development in other cities in Sarawak further highlights the urgency for Sibu:

• Miri Hospital (Implemented):

  • Constructed the Block B expansion building, adding 328 beds, bringing the total beds to 677.

  • Expansion content includes emergency facilities, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, trauma medical services, and a larger emergency center.

  • Added parking spaces: 900 car spaces, 300 motorcycle spaces.

  • Total investment about RM 289.2 million, and it has gradually entered operation in 2024.

• Kuching Sarawak General Hospital (Continuous Expansion):

  • Current scale: About 1,005 beds, 5,000 staff.

  • In recent years, many large-scale projects have been carried out, including outpatient and day surgery centers, added ICU wards, medical hotels, and multi-story parking garages.

  • Added 7 operating rooms, an endoscopy center, a centralized laboratory, etc.

  • Total number of parking spaces reaches about 1,789.

  • Overall expansion investment about RM 351 million.

Miri and Kuching's expansions have been implemented or are ongoing; why is Sibu, which bears the medical burden of the central region, only standing still?

4. Sibu Population Warning: The Aging Wave is Imminent

Sibu's medical pressure stems not only from its service range as a regional hospital but is also closely related to its unique population structure changes.

• Stagnated Population Growth, Workforce Outflow:

  • 2010: 247,995 people

  • 2023: About 254,000 people

  • Only an increase of about 6,000 in 13 years, showing a serious outflow of young people.

• Significant Aging Trend, Forming an "Elderly City":

  • In the next 10 years, the population over 65 might reach 25%, meaning 1 in every 4 people is an elderly person. Reasons include:

    1. Youth Outflow: Limited job opportunities, lower wages.

    2. Declining Fertility Rate: Sibu's Chinese proportion is about 48%, and the Chinese fertility rate is generally only 1.1 to 1.3, far below the population replacement level.

    3. Returning Retiree Population: Many Sibu people working elsewhere choose to return home for retirement due to low cost of living, familiar community environment, and relative convenience of medical care.

5. Bed Demand: Double Onslaught of Chronic Illnesses and Aging

Population aging directly leads to structural changes in medical demand. The proportion of elderly people suffering from common chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer continues to rise. This means:

• More crowded outpatient clinics

• Greater hospitalization needs and longer durations

• More urgent need for rehabilitation and long-term care facilities

Under this trend, 340 new beds are not just "needed," but "urgently needed."

6. A Hospitalized Person's Real Observation: A Call for Safety and Dignity

During my hospitalization these days, I have witnessed the systematization and professionalism of the hospital in emergency, treatment, management, and service systems. The doctors are responsible, the nursing staff busy but orderly, allowing this overloaded hospital to still maintain smooth operation, for which I express deep respect.

However, after all, this is a building complex built over thirty years ago. Parts of the facilities are clearly old, especially the prominent issue with the bathrooms in the ward area.

Many bathroom facilities have defects, and most hospitalized persons are elderly patients or severely ill patients. Old, inconvenient facilities not only cause trouble but, in some cases, present safety hazards.

I sincerely hope that people's representatives can visit the bathrooms in the hospital ward area for an on-site inspection, understand the real situation, and strive for prior emergency special funding from the Federal or Sarawak Government to improve these basic facilities as soon as possible, to ensure the basic safety and human dignity of every patient. This should not be an extravagant demand, but a basic human right.

7. Conclusion: No Delay Can Be Allowed for This Livelihood Project

Sibu Central Hospital is the most important medical pillar of the central region of Sarawak. Facing population aging and continuously increasing medical demand, hospital expansion is not an option but a must-do question, a livelihood project that allows no delay.

I wholeheartedly hope that the relevant parties will face reality, demonstrate efficiency, implement the expansion plan as soon as possible, and urgently allocate funds to improve existing ward bathroom facilities, allowing Sibu Central Hospital to serve the Sibu people and the millions of residents of the Rajang River Basin with more dignity and capability.

This is also my original intention for persisting in writing down this article of appeal in the hospital ward.

(Note: If there are discrepancies in the specific data and information mentioned above, the official information shall prevail)


Yu Chin Liik (9 March 2026)

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