While Malaysia’s public healthcare system is available to all legal residents in Malaysia, accessing healthcare services and facilities isn’t always as straightforward, especially in Sabah and Sarawak. Inequities caused by geographical limitations, awareness, or in some cases, documentation, are major barriers to providing healthcare for all in those states. In the past 18 months, the COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed how the healthcare system in Sabah and Sarawak may not be able to cope with severe outbreaks of diseases. In conjunction with Malaysia Day, health activist and the Sarawak Women Chief for PKR, Agnes Padan, and consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr John Teo joins us to discuss what are the gaps in the healthcare system in East Malaysia, and how it affects access to and quality of healthcare provided, especially when it comes to maternal and women’s health.

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