Johor bahru: The deployment of locum doctors at the Emergency Department of Sultan Ismail Hospital (HSI) commenced last night as part of the state government’s immediate efforts to alleviate staffing shortages and ease the burden of high patient volume. Johor Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said the move is a short-term measure in response to manpower constraints affecting the efficiency of emergency services, particularly at major hospitals across the state.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ling emphasized the heavy workload borne by healthcare personnel, especially in Emergency Departments. The appointment of locum doctors is an urgent step by the state government to help accelerate treatment processes and reduce patient waiting times. He added that the state government encourages more qualified and experienced doctors in emergency care to participate in the initiative, as their presence can enhance service delivery and help save more lives.
Ling noted that a surprise inspection last night found that HSI’s Red Zone, designed to accommodate six beds, was treating up to 12 patients, putting additional pressure on healthcare staff. HSI’s Emergency Department is among the busiest in Johor, receiving an average of over 300 patients daily due to its proximity to densely populated residential and industrial areas.
Priority is given to critical (Red Zone) and serious (Yellow Zone) cases, resulting in longer wait times for non-emergency patients (Green Zone). To address this, the hospital has agreed to a phased deployment of locum doctors. Currently, only one doctor is assigned nightly from 8 pm to midnight. A similar arrangement is also being planned for Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) in Johor Bahru.
Ling said the presence of on-call locum doctors last night had already helped expedite treatment for Green Zone patients, who typically face extended waiting times. Yesterday, the Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, urged the federal government to urgently fill vacancies in the healthcare sector to resolve the severe congestion affecting several major hospitals in the state. Tunku Ismail also expressed concern over the critical situation at HSA, HSI, Hospital Temenggong Seri Maharaja Tun Ibrahim in Kulai, and other healthcare facilities facing similar staff shortages.