Health Ministry places medical specialists in rural hospitals to improve healthcare access and plans minor surgeries at health clinics
KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Health has begun deploying medical specialists to rural hospitals to ensure specialist services are not concentrated solely in major urban centers.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said this initiative aims to provide more comprehensive and accessible healthcare to all segments of society.
“We have started assigning specialists to key district hospitals that do not have full-time specialists,” he told the Dewan Rakyat during the oral question and answer session.
The minister was responding to a supplementary question from Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman regarding government plans to place additional full-time medical specialists in rural areas.
Dr Dzulkefly also revealed plans to introduce minor surgical procedures at health clinics as part of ongoing healthcare reforms.
In a separate matter, the minister addressed concerns about medical staff workload and on-call arrangements.
He stated that the ministry conducts regular assessments of operational needs and responsibilities of on-call medical staff.
“The number of medical officers on call is determined based on service needs, workload, and case complexity at healthcare facilities,” he explained.
This approach aims to ensure adequate staffing while balancing the welfare of healthcare workers.
The minister was responding to Fong Kui Lun’s question about whether the current number of on-call doctors is sufficient. – Bernama
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