Health Ministry Shortage Of Medical Officers Behind Six Hour Delays At Hkl Orthopaedic Clinic

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The shortage of medical officers, down by 62 per cent, has been cited as the main factor contributing to lengthy six-hour delays at Hospital Kuala Lumpur’s Orthopaedic Clinic, according to the Health Ministry. - BERNAMA PICKUALA LUMPUR: The shortage of medical officers, down by 62 per cent, has been cited as the main factor contributing to lengthy six-hour delays at Hospital Kuala Lumpur's Orthopaedic Clinic, according to the Health Ministry.
In a written reply in Parliament on Thursday, the ministry said the reduction was due to officers being transferred out after securing permanent positions, pursuing postgraduate studies, or resigning without replacements.
It said medical officers and specialists also need to be assigned to various locations each day, including wards, operating theatres, day care units and clinics.
"With the limited number of medical officers, only five medical officers and seven specialists can be assigned to the clinic to treat between 150 and 300 patients daily.
"As most of the cases are complex, the consultation time between patients and medical officers or specialists tends to be longer.
"This situation has led to longer waiting times at the clinic," the ministry said.
The ministry was responding to Kalam Salan (PN–Sabak Bernam), who inquired about the findings of an investigation into a complaint regarding a six-hour waiting time at the HKL Orthopaedic Clinic.
The ministry said further discussions between the hospital and involved staff found that the notification procedures regarding waiting times can be improved by considering the varying consultation durations required by each patient.
"If the waiting time is long, patients or their guardians can be given the option to reschedule their appointment and receive a prescription until the new date."
The ministry said it understands the challenges faced by the public, especially concerning congestion and long waiting times at health facilities.
As such, it launched an appointment system via the MySejahtera application starting Jan 1, 2023, covering 17 types of health services at health clinics and dental clinics.
"To address congestion issues faced by hospitals, particularly those that still provide treatment and appointments manually, the ministry plans to expand the MySejahtera appointment system services to specialist clinics in hospitals to help reduce congestion."
Previously, a social media user shared in a Facebook post that she had registered at HKL's orthopaedic clinic at 9am but only completed her treatment at 3pm.
She also uploaded a photo of a sign in Malay that read, "There aren't many doctors. The waiting time to see a doctor will be more than six hours."
When she inquired about the long wait to see a specialist, she was told that many doctors had resigned. - NST

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