The Ministry of Health (MoH) has no intention of expanding the implementation of extended hours (EH) at health clinics, Deputy Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni confirmed in the Senate today.
Lukanisman explained that the introduction of EH at selected clinics has not alleviated congestion, particularly in the Green Zone of the Emergency and Trauma Departments. Despite extended hours, patient numbers have continued to rise.
“While extended hours provide more opportunities for patients to access services, they have not addressed congestion in the Green Zone. We are still evaluating whether this approach is effective,” said Lukanisman during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara.
He was responding to Senator Dr. Lingeshwaran R. Arunasalam’s query about the impact of extended hours on congestion in Emergency Departments.
EH was first introduced in 2008 as a measure to reduce congestion in the Green Zone of Emergency and Trauma Departments across the country’s health facilities. Currently, 49 health clinics have adopted the extended hours system, which runs from 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM on weekdays and from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Saturdays.
In 2023, six clinics were selected to participate in the Special Task Force on Agency Reform (STAR) pilot project. These clinics include Bandar Botanik Health Clinic in Klang, Ampang Health Clinic, Taman Ehsan Health Clinic, Kuala Lumpur Health Clinic, Greentown Health Clinic in Perak, and Mahmudian Health Clinic in Johor.
Lukanisman also highlighted that the ministry is exploring alternatives, such as the implementation of short-stay units in Emergency Zone areas, to better manage congestion in these critical areas.
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