KUALA LUMPUR: Almost 15,000 patients are waiting for elective surgeries at government hospitals, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
He said the ministry is aware of the extended waiting period for elective surgery at public medical facilities.
However, he added that emergency operations are conducted promptly without compromising patient safety.
“A total of 9,233 patients are currently on the waiting list for cataract surgeries across 56 ministry hospitals nationwide, with an average waiting period of three months.
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“Meanwhile, 2,661 patients await procedures related to kidney stones, such as percutaneous nephrolithotomy and retrograde intrarenal surgery, with an average waiting time of 11 months at 13 hospitals with resident specialists,” he said in a parliamentary written reply on Wednesday (July 23).
Yeo Bee Yin (PH-Puchong) had asked the ministry to disclose the waiting list for surgeries and the average waiting time.
Dzulkefly said that 2,293 patients are in line for major cardiothoracic operations, including coronary artery bypass graft and heart valve surgeries, with an average waiting period of seven months.
“Paediatric cardiothoracic surgeries face an even longer delay, with 603 elective cases pending and an average waiting time of 21 months,” he added.
To address these lengthy waiting periods, he said the ministry has implemented several initiatives.
“These include expanding the cluster hospital concept and deploying surgical specialists to more hospitals lacking resident experts to initiate services.
“Furthermore, collaborations between agencies and public-private partnerships are being pursued to reduce surgical waiting times,” he said.
He pointed out the establishment of the MAIWP-Hospital Selayang Cataract Surgery Centre, a collaboration between the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council and the ministry.
He also mentioned the Health Services Outsourcing Programme as part of the effort to improve access and expedite surgery for patients in need.
