BIG MOVE: Steps are being taken to increase the number of specialists and assistants
SEGAMAT: MORE than 300,000 residents from Segamat and other states will soon benefit from the increase of staff in the Segamat Hospital.The move, which will see medical specialists, nurses, medical assistants and doctors in many fields at the hospital, has been ongoing for the past three years.
Johor State Women, Family and Community Welfare Development committee chairman Dr Robiah Kosai said there was insufficient staff to support the patients despite the changes initiated in 2009.
"Segamat Hospital also receives patients from Negri Sembilan and Pahang.
"The Health Ministry has been taking steps to increase specialists, contract specialists and medical assistants in hospitals and government health clinics," Dr Robiah said at the Hari Karnival Mesra Di Hati event at the Segamat Hospital recently.
She said Segamat was the biggest district in Johor and the government has managed to turn Segamat Hospital into a specialist centre with a health office, 10 health clinics, 25 rural clinics, three dental clinics and 58 private clinics.
The hospital has 18 orthopedics, surgery, obstetrics, gynaecology, child health and psychiatric specialists.
This is a vast difference from the situation in 2009 when the hospital only had two specialists.
Dr Robiah said there will be an increase on a yearly basis, taking into consideration the needs and hospital capacity.
"The number of officers and staff members since 2009 has increased from 644 to the 742. The hospital also has specialist equipment to treat patients," she said.
