Redeploy housemen to district hospitals in need, orders Dzulkefly

 

Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said he would continue to pay attention and take action on feedback and criticisms received.

PETALING JAYA: Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad has directed health director-general Dr Radzi Abu Hassan to immediately redeploy house officers to district hospitals in need.

Via a post on X today, he stated that the health ministry was implementing various short-term and long-term improvement measures to address complaints, Bernama reported.“I am acutely aware of and deeply sympathise with the grievances of healthcare workers every day and every week.

“With 147 hospitals and more than 3,000 health clinics nationwide, I am bound to receive numerous complaints,” he said.“Continue sending feedback and criticisms (while avoiding sinful language).

“I will continue to pay attention and take action while continuing with my various reforms,” he said.

Dzulkefly was addressing viral social media messages, including images of a message by medical staff, written on a whiteboard at a hospital in Kedah, apologising to patients for the prolonged waiting time to see a doctor.

A message on a whiteboard at a hospital in Kedah, apologising for the long wait.

Lack of manpower to be addressed quickly

Meanwhile, Kedah health department deputy director (public health) Dr Norizan Ahmad said the state is committed to providing the best for patients without affecting the welfare of its healthcare workers.

“The lack of human resources will be addressed as soon as possible without affecting service delivery,” she said in a statement released before Dzulkefly’s post on X.

“All specialist services are based on appointments. They are also conducted in stages to prevent long waits. We are open to feedback that will help us improve our quality of service.”

According to the note on the whiteboard, patients could expect a five-hour wait to see a doctor as there was a shortage due to many of them moving to the private sector.

It also said that the current batch of doctors were “working until they fainted”.

“We want to serve the rakyat. We hope you understand; we are humans, too,” the note read.

A source told FMT that the note was displayed at the orthopaedic department of the Kulim Hospital. - FMT