The federal government's polyclinic in Penampang, Sabah is unable to cope with the 90,000 patients it receives annually, said Penampang MP Darrell Leiking.

penampang polyclinic darell leiking 101011In a press release yesterday, Leiking said he had visited the facility a few times and found that the doctors and nurses were doing their best to serve the patients.

"Imagine the number of patients seeking treatment at this small health clinic which the nurses and doctors have to attend to daily.

"The government must provide more staff nurses along with more doctors or health officers so that the turnaround time to serve the patients will be faster," he said.

Leiking, who is also PKR deputy secretary-general, said the federal government should establish a full fledged hospital in Penampang, which is experiencing a population boom.

"Since Penampang is a satellite for Kota Kinabalu, the existence of a full fledged hospital with a maternity clinic in Penampang will also be able to serve the needs of the people from outside the district such as from Putatan, Lok Kawi and Inanam.

"This will also reduce the over-dependency currently experienced by the Queen Elizabeth I and II Hospitals and Hospital Likas," he said.