KUALA LUMPUR – The Health Ministry is set to increase public access to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) services with the rollout of 15 additional units across government hospitals.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad said the initiative is part of equipment and development plans under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13).
“Of the 15 units, 11 are currently undergoing procurement and will be placed in existing specialist hospitals, while another four will be installed in new hospitals that are under construction,” he explained.
The ministry is also boosting diagnostic capacity at district hospitals through the deployment of digital X-ray and ultrasound machines.
“To date, 61 ultrasound machines and 274 X-ray machines have been deployed across 66 district hospitals and hospitals without resident specialists nationwide,” Dzulkefly said during a Dewan Negara sitting today.
He was responding to a question from Senator Anna Bell @ Suzieana Perian regarding steps taken to address shortages of MRI machines and other diagnostic tools at district hospitals.
Earlier, Dzulkefly noted that as of February 2026, 39 MRI units had already been installed at hospitals serving as referral centres within their respective hospital clusters.
He added that MRI and CT scan equipment are limited to hospitals with resident radiology specialists, as operating the machines requires trained personnel to ensure accurate and safe diagnostic outcomes for patients.
“For hospitals without MRI and CT scan facilities, the Radiology Department continues to play a crucial role through the availability of other imaging equipment such as X-ray and ultrasound machines, supporting basic diagnosis and treatment while working closely with cluster and specialist hospitals,” he said. – March 10, 2026