Hajiji performing the launch gimmick for the TOBaTS (Campaign to Reject Illegal Medicines) Borneo Zone Roadshow 2026 at Dewan Seri Sulaman, Tuaran, today.
TUARAN: The State Government is committed to ensuring that healthcare facilities and amenities in Sabah are continually improved so that the people have access to fast, safe, quality and equitable healthcare services.
The Chief Minister Datuk Seri Haji Hajiji Haji Noor stressed that an excellent health sector requires continuous improvement for the wellbeing of the people, particularly in facing the challenges of geography, population distribution, and the level of accessibility of services in Sabah.
“These challenges should not become obstacles to our efforts to ensure that every citizen, including those in the interior and hard-to-reach areas, has access to safe, quality and equitable healthcare services,” he said in his speech at the official launch of the TOBaTS (Campaign to Reject Illegal Medicines) Borneo Zone Roadshow 2026 at Dewan Seri Sulaman here today.
Hajiji said that Sabah also aims to see more medical facilities and specialist hospitals developed, including an increase in the number of specialist doctors, so that the people in the state can enjoy more comfortable and effective medical amenities.
He said that in this effort, Sabah has made progress with the strategic collaboration between the Sabah Foundation Group (YS) and IJN Sdn Bhd, which was sealed in April for the construction of a world-class heart hospital in Kota Kinabalu, which is hoped will realise better access to cardiac services in the state.
Meanwhile, Hajiji said that the organisation of the TOBaTS Roadshow proves the ongoing commitment of the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) together with the state government in protecting the health and wellbeing of the people from the threat of illegal health products and medicines.
He also reminded that the existence of digital platforms and social media has made it easier for unregistered cosmetic products, supplements and medicines to be marketed directly to consumers, whilst also opening the door for irresponsible parties to make various misleading or unfounded medical claims.
“The health and safety of the people cannot and will never be compromised. The use of illegal medicines can pose serious risks to health because such products do not meet safety, quality and efficacy standards; they can even cause kidney damage, liver failure, and can be fatal,” he stressed.
Hajiji also emphasised that enforcement alone is not enough; rather, the most powerful defence is an informed, vigilant public that is capable of making the right decisions.
In this regard, he called upon all Sabahans to adopt a culture of checking via the MyUbat app provided by the MOH before buying any medicine, as well as ensuring that the medicine they buy is registered with the MOH and consulting a pharmacist or doctor before trying any new health product.
“I hope that the TOBaTS Roadshow programme will become a starting point for the formation of a new culture, namely a culture of medicine literacy and a culture of rejecting any form of fraud and misuse relating to medicines,” he said.
Hajiji also gave an assurance that the State Government will continue to provide support and strengthen synergy with the MOH and all stakeholders to ensure that the health and wellbeing agenda for the people of Sabah continues to be empowered in a sustainable and comprehensive manner.
He said that close cooperation between the MOH, the Sabah Health Department and State Government agencies is important to ensure that the message of the TOBaTS Campaign can be disseminated widely down to the grassroots level across the state.
Meanwhile, when met by reporters, Hajiji said that if the Air Pollutant Index (API) reaches hazardous levels that could be detrimental, the State Government, through its committee at state level, will take appropriate proactive measures.
