Kuala lumpur: The empowerment of the digitalisation agenda through the ‘One Citizen, One Record’ electronic medical record approach is the main focus in transforming the country’s healthcare system, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. He stated that its implementation will enable the healthcare sector to be strengthened to ensure patient information can be accessed accurately and quickly, reducing duplication of records, minimising the risk of wrong information, and supporting the delivery of higher-quality clinical services.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the digitalisation effort is being driven comprehensively from the primary care stage, including the use of the Cloud-based Clinic Management System (CCMS) in health clinics nationwide. As of October 17, 160 health clinics had been digitalised, with the Health Ministry targeting 2,489 primary healthcare facilities, including health clinics, maternal and child clinics, community clinics, and rural clinics, to undergo the same process by 2028.

In addition, Dzulkefly mentioned that a total of 956 dental clinics will be fully digitalised by 2027, while the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system will be implemented in 136 hospitals nationwide by 2029. He explained that the implementation of the national health digital system will help in significantly reducing patient waiting time, including simpler appointment processes, follow-up treatments, and dispensing of medicines.

Dzulkefly illustrated that previously, patients might have to bring along X-ray films and MRI scans, but now, with the National EMR, the method is interconnected and interoperable. Wherever the clinic is, with a digital identity, patients should not be repeatedly asked about their medical history, allergies, or medications, as all necessary information will be readily accessible.

He emphasized that the ultimate goal of the transformation is to enable full integration between the public and private sectors to create a truly holistic national healthcare ecosystem.