Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad has articulated that the primary focus for this year will be on advancing the digitalization of the public healthcare system, with a specific emphasis on the expanded implementation of the Total Hospital Information System (THIS) and Cloud-Based Clinic Management System (CCMS).
He stated that the initiative would be broadened to include a total of 16 hospitals, whereas the CCMS will now encompass 2,489 primary healthcare facilities.
"We need to put an end to manual procedures and paperwork.
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Additionally, expansion plans are in place for the Dental Information System, which is slated to be implemented in 157 dental clinics. Dzulkefly characterized the action as promoting effectiveness in endeavors to enhance the public healthcare system through modernization.
"This is an aggressive step towards ensuring that patient data moves together with the patient, digitally," he said in his New Year's address to ministry staff.
He further conveyed optimism for the expansion of the aforementioned initiative, mentioning forthcoming intentions to implement a comprehensive dashboard for real-time facility monitoring.
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He stated that the ministry's focus in human resource management is on securing permanent positions for approximately 4,500 medical officers and 935 nurses in the current year.
"Our decisions must be data-driven and no longer based on estimates or anecdotes," he says, adding that he also intends to see the introduction of a dashboard tracking the management of non-communicable diseases.
"This allows us to make decisions based on supply, maldistribution, attrition and retention," he says.
Dzulkefly mentioned that there is ongoing consideration towards the development of an integrated human resources dashboard to provide a complete overview of the workforce within all the ministry's facilities.
He emphasized the importance of the ministry's commitment to ensuring the implementation of these measures within the current year.
"We are now at a crossroads... this year, we must implement things. I have made this very clear to the top brass.
"The time has come for swift structural changes to ensure our healthcare system is truly future-ready, future-focused and future-proof," he says.
As per the minister, 2025 has been designated as a time for analysis and strategic preparations, which must be implemented within the current year. He emphasized that given the upcoming conclusion of the 15th Parliament and the current administration's tenure next year, he is eager to expedite efforts towards enhancing public healthcare services.
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"More importantly, we have to break down the silos and work together as one big team. No one person is more important than the other, including the minister," he says.