KOTA KINABALU, April 29 -- Sabah is facing a critical shortage of doctors, with the state government saying the gap to the national average is a significant 4,526 doctors across the state. 

State Minister for Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Julita Majungki said that there are currently 3,431 government doctors and 1,397 private practitioners in Sabah, resulting in a doctor-to-population ratio of 1:775.

The national target ratio is 1:400.

"Based on our calculations, Sabah requires 9,354 doctors. This means there is currently a shortage of 4,526 doctors compared to existing numbers," she said during her winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly sitting.

Concerns about Sabah's lack of adequate healthcare faci...