Latest news with #HospitalSultanIsmail
The Star
a day ago
- Health
- The Star
Public healthcare system under serious strain
Making the rounds: Onn Hafiz (second from left) visiting HSI to observe the working conditions of healthcare staff with Ling (walking behind him). JOHOR BARU: Public healthcare workers in Johor are under severe strain, with nurses reportedly caring for over 10 patients per shift – far exceeding the ideal nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:6, says Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi. He said serious manpower shortages, particularly in major hospitals in Johor Baru, are placing immense pressure on the state's healthcare system. 'The shortage of healthcare personnel across key categories such as specialist doctors, medical officers, assistant medical officers, nurses and support staff is a pressing concern. 'This is affecting not only the morale of our frontline workers but also the quality of care delivered to patients,' he said in a Facebook post after visiting Hospital Sultan Ismail (HSI) with state health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon yesterday. Onn Hafiz cited instances where nurses were tasked with caring for 10 to 14 patients per shift – well above the recommended ratio of 1:6, or at most 1:8. 'This situation is not only unfair to our medical staff but also poses a serious risk to patient safety if left unresolved,' he warned. He emphasised that the state government is treating the issue with urgency and will continue to support the healthcare sector through improved facilities and additional medical resources. The matter, he added, would also be raised with the Health Ministry and other relevant agencies. Onn Hafiz said he would personally appeal for the immediate filling of vacant healthcare positions in Johor, stressing that this must be done without compromise. He also expressed his gratitude to all healthcare workers for their continued dedication and service, assuring them that the state government remains committed to building a more efficient and sustainable healthcare system. His remarks come just days after Johor Regent Tunku Mahkota Ismail called on the Federal Government to expedite the filling of vacancies in the health sector to address the severe overcrowding at several major hospitals in the state. The Regent voiced concern over the critical situation at Hospital Sultanah Aminah, HSI, Hospital Temenggong Seri Maharaja Tun Ibrahim in Kulai and several other facilities struggling with staff shortages.
The Star
2 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Acute manpower shortage affecting public healthcare system, says Johor MB
JOHOR BARU: The critical shortage of healthcare workers in major hospitals here must be addressed to reduce the strain on the public healthcare system, says Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi. He said a recent spot check at Hospital Sultan Ismail (HSI) here with state health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon revealed alarming gaps in manpower, placing immense strain on the system. 'The lack of staff across key categories like specialist doctors, medical officers, assistant medical officers, nurses and support personnel is a concerning reality. 'This is impacting not only the morale of our frontliners but also the quality of care for patients,' he said in a Facebook post on Monday (July 14). He highlighted examples where nurses were required to care for 10 to 14 patients in a single shift, far beyond the ideal nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:6 or 1:8 at most. 'This is not only unfair to our medical staff but also dangerous for patients if the situation is left unaddressed,' he added. Onn Hafiz stressed that the state government is taking the matter seriously and will continue to provide urgent support in terms of facilities and medical resources, while also escalating the issue to the Health Ministry and other relevant agencies. 'I will personally appeal for the immediate filling of vacant healthcare positions in Johor without compromise,' he said. He also expressed gratitude to all healthcare personnel for their hard work and dedication, assuring them that the state government is committed to building a more efficient and sustainable healthcare system.
The Star
21-06-2025
- The Star
Accident claims life of 14-year-old pillion rider in Ulu Tiram
JOHOR BARU: A 14-year-old motorcycle pillion rider was killed in an accident with a lorry at Ulu Tiram here. Seri Alam OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Sohaimi Ishak said two 14-year-old students, one rider and one pillion rider, were travelling on the motorcycle along Batu 16, Jalan Sungai Tiram, Ulu Tiram when the accident occurred at around 10.44am on Friday (June 20). "The lorry was proceeding straight along the road, and the motorcycle was reported to have suddenly appeared on the left side. "The motorcyclist then lost control of the vehicle and fell to the left side of the road, while the pillion rider was thrown under the lorry and was run over," he said in a statement on Saturday (June 21). The victim died on the spot after suffering from fatal head injuries, he said. ACP Mohd Sohaimi added that the motorcyclist sustained leg injuries and was rushed to Hospital Sultan Ismail for medical treatment. He said the 35-year-old lorry driver was detained to assist in investigations under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. He also urged the public to obey traffic laws and exercise caution, especially during peak hours and nighttime driving, to prevent similar tragedies. Witnesses are urged to contact the police at 07-3864222 to assist with the investigation.
The Star
18-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
New system cuts down on waiting
Staying patient: Patients and their families waiting for their turn to receive medical treatment at Hospital Sultanah Aminah. The new system will streamline the process. JOHOR BARU: Johor's Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA) is set to become the first public hospital in Malaysia to adopt a RM1mil smart queue system (SQS) aimed at reducing patients' waiting time. With the SQS, patients will no longer have to take separate queue numbers at the hospital's specialist clinics and pharmacy department. They can obtain a queue number by scanning a QR code with their smartphone and use the same queue number for their medical needs for the day. Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the SQS will begin in phases at HSA's specialist clinics before it is fully implemented by the end of the year. 'HSA sees about 2,000 patients each day, making it one of the busiest hospitals in the country. 'Once the SQS is fully implemented, we will hopefully replicate the system in other hospitals, such as Hospital Sultan Ismail and those in other districts to improve public healthcare delivery,' he said after visiting HSA here yesterday. Johor health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon explained that the SQS was developed to address high patient volume and congestion issues faced by the hospital. 'At present, patients need to take a queue number to see a specialist and then take another number to queue up for their medication, which is time consuming. 'The SQS allows patients to know the number of patients ahead of them via a smartphone app so they can move around or go for tea or toilet breaks without worrying about losing their turn,' he added. At present, Ling said the system is being tested and that some patients have begun using it. Onn Hafiz said the SQS was part of the state's ongoing efforts to address issues faced by the hospital, in addition to upgrading eight wards, toilets and surau facilities. The state is working with non-governmental organisations, which had contributed new hospital beds and mattresses as well as an ambulance. He said that Waqaf An-Nur has stationed a mobile clinic at HSA's entrance to provide additional support for the hospital's emergency and trauma department, which tends to get very busy at night and on weekends. 'They will be assisting HSA five days a week to tend to non-critical or level five cases such as fever or cough, which do not require a specialist doctor's attention. 'I have also directed Ling to station at least two additional doctors a day at the emergency and trauma department on a locum basis. I believe that can be done by next week,' he said. When asked about the proposal for a multi-level carpark, Onn Hafiz said a value assessment study has been completed. 'I understand that funding has been secured and the value assessment has just concluded,' he said. Aside from the current practice of parking within hospital grounds, he said patients have the alternative of parking at a free carpark at Pantai Lido, across the road from the hospital. Previously, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced an allocation of RM500mil for first phase upgrades of the hospital on Sept 4, 2023. Among the proposed upgrades include the construction of a polyclinic and multi-storey car park to address hospital congestion.
The Star
17-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
RM1mil smart queue system to cut wait times at JB's Hospital Sultanah Aminah
JOHOR BARU: Johor has spent RM1mil to develop a smart queueing system that reduces waiting times at Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA), making it the first public hospital in the country to have such a facility. Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the smart queue system (SQS) would be introduced in phases at HSA's specialist clinics before it is fully implemented by the end of the year. 'HSA sees about 2,000 patients each day, making it one of the busiest hospitals in the country. 'Once the SQS is fully implemented, we will hopefully replicate it in other hospitals such as Hospital Sultan Ismail and those in other districts to improve public healthcare delivery,' he said after visiting HSA here on Tuesday (June 17). With the SQS, patients no longer need to take separate queue numbers at the respective specialist clinics and pharmacy. They can obtain a queue number by scanning a QR code and use the same number for their medical needs for the day. Meanwhile, Onn Hafiz added that the state government has also upgraded eight wards at HSA, collaborating with non-governmental organisations (NGO) for the contribution of beds and mattresses. 'Another NGO also contributed an ambulance, which was bought at a lower price as it is a reconditioned vehicle. 'It does not have to be brand new. As long as it is functioning well, we can address the shortage of ambulances,' he said.
