TAPAH: All hospitals nationwide will have emergency medical specialists within the next three years, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
The Health Minister said the placement process has already started.
“The first is an EP (emergency physician) trauma specialist, while the second is an internal medicine specialist (physician) who will be able to increase the attractiveness for residents to seek treatment at these hospitals,” he said at a press conference here yesterday, Bernama reported.
Earlier, Dzulkefly attended a meet-and-greet session with healthcare workers of the Batang Padang district at Tapah Hospital, which will have an emergency medicine specialist starting on May 1.
Dzulkefly noted that to date, emergency medical specialists have been placed at 15 other hospitals.
These include Jitra Hospital, Kuala Nerang Hospital, Sik Hospital and Yan Hospital in Kedah, as well as Sungai Bakap Hospital and Balik Pulau Hospital in Penang.
The other hospitals are Kuala Kangsar Hospital in Perak, Sabak Bernam Hospital and Kuala Kubu Baharu Hospital (Selangor), Alor Gajah Hospital and Jasin Hospital (Melaka), Cameron Highlands Hospital (Pahang), Pasir Mas Hospital and Pasir Putih Hospital (Kelantan) as well as Limbang Hospital (Sarawak).
According to Dzulkefly, the ministry will place emergency medical specialists in 10 other hospitals nationwide in stages by August this year.
Meanwhile, he also announced that the 24-hour emergency service at the Tanjong Malim Health Clinic will resume on April 15.
Dzulkefly said the decision was made due to the high demand from residents in the area.
“We hope this matter will be resolved because I have reviewed the proposal (to reopen the clinic),” he added.
Residents around the clinic had complained about the decision to cease the clinic’s 24-hour emergency services as the other nearest hospital was far away in Slim River.
