(Front row, centre) Dr Azlee with other guests and participants of the Borneo Dermatology Update 2026.
MIRI (April 18): The recent Borneo Dermatology Update (BDU) 2026 brought together 350 healthcare professionals from Sabah, Sarawak, Labuan and Brunei to improve access to specialised skin care in rural areas.
Held at Miri Hospital and the Meritz Hotel here, the conference focused on decentralising dermatology services to bridge the healthcare gap between urban and rural communities across Borneo.
The event was jointly organised by the Dermatology Departments of Sarawak General Hospital, Miri Hospital and Sibu Hospital, together with the Malaysian Dermatological Society, in collaboration with Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu.
A key highlight was the expansion of dermatology services across Sarawak, aimed at bringing specialist care closer to patients in district-level facilities.
State dermatologist and organising chair Dr Tang Min Moon said visiting specialist services had been extended to Sri Aman Hospital and Siburan Health Clinic since January this year, complementing an existing teledermatology network serving several health clinics and Betong Hospital.
“Similar expansions are underway statewide, including services from Sibu Hospital to Sarikei and Kapit, and from Miri Hospital to Limbang, with plans to extend to Lawas by July,” he added.
Meanwhile, the newly-established Dermatology Unit at Bintulu Hospital is expected to expand its services to Mukah in the coming months.
Officiating at the event on behalf of Sarawak Health Department director Dr Veronica Lugah, deputy director (public health) Dr Azlee Ayub hailed strengthening district-level capabilities as key to ensuring equitable access to healthcare.
“No patient should have to travel for days just to receive a simple injection,” he said.
“By bringing these services closer to communities, we are not only improving access but also preserving the dignity and quality of life of our patients.”
Dr Azlee added that enabling district facilities to administer advanced treatments, including biological injections, reflected the state’s commitment to inclusive, patient-centred healthcare.
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