Kuala Lumpur: The Health Ministry is stepping up efforts to modernise Malaysia’s healthcare system while easing the heavy workload faced by medical staff, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (pic).
He acknowledged the strain on personnel at all levels, from senior consultants to nurses, medical officers and support staff.
To address this, he said the ministry is reviewing the distribution of human resources to ensure a fairer and more efficient deployment.
“We need a clear picture of supply and demand across the system. Only by knowing the actual needs can we address shortages and maldistribution of doctors, nurses and other staff.
“The ministry is implementing a digital dashboard to manage staffing and workload more effectively, with the aim of reducing administrative burden and improving clinical efficiency,” he told Datuk Dr Alias Razak (PN-Kuala Nerus), who had asked about the ministry’s plan to address hospital staffing needs and shortages.
Dzulkefly said the ministry’s reform plans go beyond manpower, focusing on modernising service delivery across 150 hospitals and more than 3,300 clinics nationwide.
A key initiative is the introduction of a national Electronic Medical Record system, part of the “One Citizen, One Record” policy.
“This will improve operational efficiency, reduce clinical workload, and ensure patient care is both faster and safer,” he said.
Dzulkefly said the ministry is also exploring automation and artificial intelligence to further support healthcare delivery.
He highlighted welfare measures as well, such as the increase in on-call allowances for medical and dental officers effective Oct 1.
“This is the first revision in 14 years and involves an estimated annual cost of RM120mil. It reflects the government’s commitment to the welfare of our healthcare staff,” he said.
A circular issued on Nov 4 allows eligible staff to claim the revised allowance for October.
