BUTTERWORTH, February 21 — The government has allocated RM18.9 million this year for the digital transformation of 100 public health clinics nationwide, including several in Penang. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad stated that the initiative, part of Budget 2025, will introduce a cloud-based digital management system (CCMS) to improve efficiency and reduce patient waiting times from three hours to just 30 minutes.
Additionally, an electronic medical records system will be implemented at Penang General Hospital and Seberang Jaya Hospital in 2026, with plans to expand to other hospitals under the 13th Malaysia Plan. Dr. Dzulkefly also highlighted the role of Wellness Hubs in shifting the nation’s healthcare model from ‘sick care’ to ‘health care,’ focusing on prevention and early intervention. He revealed that 33 Wellness Hubs nationwide have served nearly one million clients since 2020, with 20,000 from Seberang Perai Utara.
The IFitEr (I Fit and Eat Right) programme has achieved a 60 percent success rate in helping participants lose weight. Wellness Hubs provide free screenings, counselling, and health literacy programmes to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which cost the government RM64 billion annually.
