The ministry of health is currently working on developing a “super app” for healthcare services. This is according to deputy health minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni, who said that it will include ambulance requests.
He said that the app aligns with the growing use of e-hailing in urban areas, with the ambulance request function to be rolled out in large cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, and Kuching. For rural and interior areas, the 999 emergency line service will remain in place.
Lukanisman claimed that the app will improve ambulance services for both the public and private healthcare sectors, with no fees being charged if patients choose to go to a government hospital instead of a private one. He assured that the ministry will hold discussions with stakeholders and industry players to refine the initiative before its full implementation.
The development of e-hailing for ambulances was first brought to light last week by the health ministry’s deputy secretary-general Norazman Ayob, who revealed that government hospitals plan to lease ambulances and drivers, potentially including paramedics, under a new system that would eliminate the need for hospitals to own ambulances. He explained that allowing people to request an ambulance with a single tap would reduce delays.
While being called a super app, the deputy minister did not elaborate on what other healthcare services will shift to the platform. Previously, the government had been touting MySejahtera as a super app for healthcare and other government services as it transitioned from being a pandemic app.
(Source: The Edge)
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