19-06-2025
Less waiting, better care: Johor MB's mission at Sultanah Aminah Hospital
Johor Baru: Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi visited Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) to oversee the progress of several key initiatives aimed at improving healthcare services, reducing patient congestion, cutting down waiting times, and enhancing overall efficiency.
Among the central features of the visit was a review of Klinik Wakaf An-Nur, a community-based outpatient clinic now operating five days a week for non-critical cases.
The clinic provides an alternative for patients seeking treatment for minor ailments, helping ease pressure on HSA's Emergency Department, particularly during peak hours.
"I have directed an increase in the number of doctors to expand treatment capacity and reduce patient waiting times," Onn Hafiz said in his Facebook post yesterday.
Onn Hafiz, a hands-on leader, has a strong penchant for visiting government service providers and listening to public concerns as part of his commitment to addressing social issues in local communities.
Onn Hafiz said that, together with Johor Health and Environment Committee Chairman Ling Tian Soon, he visited the hospital to review the progress of key initiatives aimed at enhancing patient comfort and healthcare services.
In line with the state's digitization efforts, HSA will soon implement a Smart Queue System (SQS) in July, which allows patients to check appointments and obtain queue numbers online, he said.
The system only requires patients to arrive 30 minutes before their scheduled time, a major improvement over long, early-morning queues that have been the norm.
"This is a major step forward in modernising our public healthcare system," said Onn Hafiz. "The SQS will not only streamline patient flow but also improve transparency and minimize overcrowding in hospital waiting areas."
Onn Hafiz also inspected infrastructure upgrades, including improvements to HSA's main power supply and electrical systems, which are critical to ensuring uninterrupted healthcare operations.
He said that Ward West 5 will soon be reopened, with thanks extended to NGOs and donors who contributed beds and mattresses to support the ward's reactivation.
"I am aware and deeply mindful that many people of Johor are still waiting for better, faster, and more compassionate healthcare services," Onn Hafiz said.
With surging medical and healthcare costs, many Malaysians are turning to public hospitals, which offer quality services at a fraction of the cost of private hospitals.
However, this has led to congestion and long queues. Public healthcare also faces shortages of qualified medical professionals.
