SHAH ALAM – Patient waiting time at public hospitals will be cut down once the Health Ministry finalises the public-private initiative and shortlists the dozens of private healthcare facilities involved.
Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad said his ministry is in the process of reviewing 95 hospitals that have expressed interest in taking in patients from public hospitals, especially those related to nephrology, cardiology, cardiothoracic and radiology imaging.
“We have an allocation of RM144 million for the outsourcing programme and private hospitals have the opportunity to submit their requests for proposals to be part of the programme.
“The waiting time for these surgeries, which are usually elective surgeries, not emergency ones, can range from six to 12 months and, in some cases, even longer.”
As for the parallel pathway of the cardiothoracic programme provided by the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh, Dzulkefly said it is not an issue and those doubtful should refer to the statement issued by the British High Commissioner to Malaysia, Ailsa Terry, on the matter.
In May, Terry said the British General Medical Council recognises all qualifications from the UK royal colleges and that Malaysian parallel pathway cardiothoracic specialists can apply to be registered as specialists.
Earlier, Dzulkefly was at the launch of Shopee’s Pek Kasih Mama campaign, a collaboration between the Health Ministry and the popular e-commerce platform.
Each pack includes essential baby and maternal care items, such as diapers, baby wipes, bath products, towels, breastfeeding necessities, and skincare products suitable for pregnant and breastfeeding women to make them more accessible to underprivileged communities. – June 15, 2024