SIBU – The Sarawak State Health Department (JKNS) is continuing efforts to strengthen mental health services across the state through a meeting focused on improving psychiatric care and expanding access to specialist services.
The Sarawak State Psychiatric Services Meeting was held from 3 to 4 August 2026 at Sibu Hospital.
The two-day meeting brought together psychiatric experts and nurses to discuss the current service system and identify areas for further development.
The meeting was chaired by YBrs. Dr. Rosliwati Md. Yusoff, Head of Sarawak Psychiatry and Director of Sentosa Hospital Kuching.
Also in attendance was YBrs. Dr. Azlee bin Ayub, Deputy Director of State Health (Medicine).
Discussions during the meeting focused on strengthening the delivery of psychiatric services across Sarawak and ensuring that patients receive consistent and appropriate care.
One of the main areas discussed was the need to improve the resilience and efficiency of the existing mental health service system.
A stronger service system is intended to help healthcare facilities respond more effectively to the needs of patients requiring mental health support.
The meeting also placed emphasis on coordinating clinical management across different levels of psychiatric care.
This includes efforts to standardise treatment procedures so that patients can receive a consistent standard of care regardless of the healthcare facility where they are treated.
Consistency in clinical management is an important part of ensuring that patients receive appropriate treatment throughout their care journey.
The discussions also addressed the expansion of subspecialty and community psychiatric services.
JKNS aims to broaden the reach of community-based psychiatric care through the network of hospitals and health facilities across Sarawak.
Particular attention was given to improving access for communities in rural areas.
Sarawak’s geographical spread means that access to specialist healthcare can vary between urban centres and more remote communities.
Expanding psychiatric services across the existing healthcare network is therefore intended to bring specialist support closer to more patients.
The initiative also highlights the role of community psychiatric services in making mental health care more accessible outside major hospitals.
By strengthening links between hospitals and health facilities, the health authorities aim to provide a more comprehensive approach to psychiatric care.
The meeting provided an opportunity for healthcare professionals involved in psychiatric services to exchange views and discuss the direction of services in the state.
The participation of specialists and nurses also allowed clinical and operational aspects of mental health care to be considered together.
JKNS said the initiative forms part of its ongoing efforts to improve the quality of mental health services for the people of Sarawak.
The department is also seeking to ensure that specialist psychiatric treatment remains accessible to people from different sections of the community.
Improving access is particularly relevant for residents who live in rural areas and may face greater challenges when seeking specialist healthcare.
The planned strengthening of community psychiatric services is intended to support a broader network of care and reduce reliance on centralised services alone.
At the same time, efforts to coordinate clinical management are aimed at maintaining appropriate standards across the healthcare system.
The meeting also reflects the department’s continuing focus on mental well-being as part of overall public health.
Mental health services require coordination between specialists, nurses, hospitals and other healthcare facilities to ensure patients can receive appropriate support at different stages of treatment.
JKNS’s latest initiative brings these areas together by focusing on service resilience, clinical coordination and wider access to psychiatric care.
The discussions in Sibu are part of continuing efforts to develop psychiatric services that can respond to the needs of communities throughout Sarawak.
The department said it remains committed to maintaining the mental well-being of the Sarawak community and ensuring that specialist treatment can be accessed by people across the state.
Through continued coordination among healthcare professionals and facilities, JKNS aims to further strengthen the delivery of psychiatric services and improve access to care, including for those living in rural communities.
