KUCHING – Senior Assistant Pharmacists (PPF) from across Sarawak recently gathered for their first major engagement session of 2026.
The meeting, held in Kuching on 2 April, served as a crucial platform for bridge-building between field-level senior officers and the top management of the Sarawak State Health Department (JKN Sarawak).
Chaired by the Deputy Director of State Health (Pharmacy), Puan Nor Anizah bt Osman, the session brought together senior PPFs representing various responsibility centres (PTJ) across the state.
The assembly was designed to facilitate an open dialogue regarding the current operational challenges faced by pharmacy support staff while also exploring pathways for long-term service empowerment.
A significant portion of the agenda was dedicated to strengthening internal communication within the state’s pharmacy service family.
As healthcare needs in Sarawak continue to expand and diversify, the leadership emphasised that a cohesive and well-informed workforce is essential for maintaining high-quality patient care.
The meeting saw the attendance of key leadership figures, including:
- Ms. Zanisah binti Ahmad Torky, Head of Pharmacy Management Branch.
- Ms. Phan Hui Sieng, Principal Senior Assistant Director of the Pharmacy Practice & Development Branch, representing the Head of Branch.
- Ms. Yvonne Richard, Principal Senior Assistant Director of the Pharmacy Management Branch.
- Mr. Luqman Nulhakim bin Said, Principal Assistant Director of the Pharmacy Management Branch.
- Mr. Sarbini bin Haji Ahmat, the Coordinator of State Assistant Pharmacist Officers.
The discourse provided an opportunity for Senior PPFs to present data-based insights into the ground-level hurdles they encounter in their daily practice.
By presenting these findings directly to top management, the participants aimed to secure more effective administrative support and policy adjustments. Focus was also placed on the professional evolution of the PPF role.
The leadership encouraged participants to take on more proactive roles in service delivery, ensuring that the pharmacy department remains responsive to the evolving healthcare landscape in Malaysia.
By strengthening the lines of communication between management and the front line, the department aims to create a more resilient pharmacy network.
This collaborative approach ensures that the expertise of Senior PPFs is effectively integrated into the state’s broader healthcare strategies, ultimately enhancing the reliability and safety of pharmaceutical services for the people of Sarawak.
