Latest news with #Kinarut
Malay Mail
24-07-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
Health minister: Cabinet memo on fixing healthcare staffing shortage ready; 4,352 posts to be filled
PAPAR, July 24 — The Ministry of Health (MOH) has prepared briefing notes and a memorandum to be presented to the Cabinet to address the shortage of personnel in the national healthcare sector, said its minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. He said the ministry is committed to resolving the filling of 4,352 positions to meet the healthcare needs of the people, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday. 'We are aware that the shortage of personnel is a real issue and must be addressed. I am personally committed to expediting the appointment process for those currently on contract to be absorbed into permanent positions without having to wait by cohort. 'We are identifying ways to reduce this deficit or close the gap, and to implement redistribution or resolve the long-standing issue of maldistribution. I have inherited this situation, but I am determined to address it within a reasonable timeframe,' he said. He was speaking to reporters after attending the Community Engagement Day event at the National Information Dissemination Centre in Kampung Langkuas, Kinarut, near here yesterday. Also present were Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Ministry of Communications Secretary-General Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, and MOH Secretary-General Datuk Seri Suriani Ahmad. When announcing government initiatives for Malaysians yesterday, the Prime Minister said the government would expedite the filling of 4,352 positions at healthcare facilities, including the appointment of contract doctors this year, in response to urgent needs in the country's healthcare sector. However, Dzulkefly clarified that the responsibility for position appointments does not lie with the ministry, but rather under the jurisdiction of the Public Service Department (JPA) and Public Services Commission (SPA), though he is confident these agencies are committed to fulfilling the staffing needs of the health sector. He added that the MOH is also striving to boost the morale of healthcare staff by maintaining the 42-hour work week for nurses, housemen (PPS), and medical officers (MOs). — Bernama
Malay Mail
23-07-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
MCMC and Health Ministry team up to deliver e-health services via rural Nadi centres, says Fahmi
PAPAR, July 23 — The Ministry of Communications, through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), is collaborating with the Ministry of Health (MOH) to provide e-health services at National Information Dissemination Centres (NADI), particularly at over 700 centres located in rural areas nationwide. Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said that MCMC and MOH are exploring several digital health initiatives, including telehealth services and the use of drone technology to deliver medications from selected NADI centres to nearby health clinics, depending on location suitability. 'This collaboration has begun here, and we aim to expand it to all NADI centres across the country. Our goal is to provide telehealth services to help ease the burden on people living in remote areas. 'With high-speed internet available at NADI centres, these e-health services can be delivered efficiently through the NADI-health clinic network. This will allow patients to undergo health screenings without physically visiting the clinics.' Fahmi said this to reporters after attending the Community Engagement Day at NADI Kampung Langkuas Kinarut near here today, which was also attended by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. Also present were Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa and MOH secretary-general Datuk Seri Suriani Ahmad. Elaborating on the initiative, Fahmi noted that the use of drone technology for medication delivery to rural health clinics is still in its pilot phase. 'A few months ago, the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) witnessed a drone-based medicine delivery demonstration at a NADI centre in Tawau. 'Going forward, we will hold discussions to map out the connectivity between NADI centres and health clinics. This process may be complex as it involves coordination with multiple agencies, especially concerning drone operations,' he said. Fahmi stressed that internet speed is key to making the initiative successful, alongside close cooperation between the Ministry of Communications, MCMC, and MOH. 'Some NADI centres still operate at 100 Mbps, while others have reached up to 1 Gbps. We aim to further improve these speeds. Also, there needs to be joint training sessions between MOH and NADI managers to ensure the effective delivery of telehealth services,' he noted. Fahmi added that the initial focus would be on rural areas, where the impact of such services would be most significant, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, with further discussions to determine which NADI and clinics would be included. Meanwhile, Dzulkefly expressed support for the initiative, saying it would enhance access to healthcare in rural communities through selected NADI centres. 'This collaboration will bring healthcare services closer to the people. It is a timely move, as community centres like NADI can also provide health-related services such as managing communicable and chronic diseases in these areas. 'Patients will no longer need to visit health clinics to access basic healthcare, as they can do so directly through telehealth services available at their local NADI centres,' he added. — Bernama
