Kuching: The federal government will finalise the details of the proposed Sarawak Cancer Centre project, announced Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian. He stated that the Ministry of Health (MOH), in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and the Public Works Department (JKR), is currently conducting an assessment lab on the project to facilitate further deliberation.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Sim emphasized that the assessment will ascertain the project’s commencement date, bed capacity, and total development cost. He mentioned that while Sarawak had earlier suggested a 300-bed capacity for the centre, the final decision would depend on the Ministry of Finance, as they are responsible for the operational costs.

Dr Sim highlighted that although the construction cost is manageable, the annual operational cost is substantial since the facility will function as a cancer centre rather than a mere clinic. He shared these insights with reporters after attending the Borneo Blockchain Conference opening ceremony.

On March 30 last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the federal government had consented to the construction of the Sarawak Cancer Centre in the Samarahan Division. Anwar noted that through this project, the Sarawak government is making history by becoming the first state government to pre-finance a federal project to expedite its implementation.