Checking up: Ling (right) talking to a patient during his visit to Sultan Ismail Hospital in Johor Baru.
JOHOR BARU: The state government will roll out a smart queue system at Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) as part of a broader plan to modernise healthcare services and improve overall patient experience.
“With this smart queue system, patients will no longer have to queue early in the morning just to get a number to see the doctor,” said state health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon yesterday.
“Even if they need to visit another clinic or pick up medication, they will not have to take a new number as everything will be more seamless and organised.”
Ling recently visited HSA and Sultan Ismail Hospital (HSI) to gain an understanding of how the two hospitals operate.
He said that during his visit to HSA, he also invited representatives from various agencies and non-governmental organisations to participate in a discussion aimed at identifying areas for improvement at the hospital.
“We focused on how we can improve ward facilities and overall comfort for patients. Collaboration between the state government, welfare groups and hospital management is key to making sustainable improvements,” he added.
Ling said they would try to implement the smart queue system and ward upgrades soon.
He also noted that there have been positive changes since he last visited HSI, as the waiting area for specialist clinics is now more comfortable.
During his visit, he noticed that the queue started forming at 6.30am and the counters were already open by 7.20am.
“By 8am, the clinics began operating in phases and the patient flow was much smoother,” he said.
Ling added that the number of patients seeking follow-up treatment remains high at HSI, with between 1,500 and 1,800 patients each morning.
He said this contributes to the continued long waiting times.
Besides the HSI specialist clinic, Ling also visited the hospital’s blood test centre, which serves up to 200 patients daily.
Ling said he was concerned about the lack of a queue system as the waiting area was a cramped and warm corridor.
“I will assist the hospital in acquiring an electronic queue system and suggest installing additional fans for better ventilation. This will significantly improve comfort and reduce lobby congestion,” he said.
Ling said he also inspected HSI’s emergency department and held discussions with on-duty officers to explore both immediate and long-term strategies to improve services and reduce overcrowding.
“The state government remains committed to ensuring public healthcare in Johor is efficient, patient-friendly and constantly improving,” he added.
