Dr Dzulkefly: Sarawak leads in implementing Cloud-Based Clinic Management System

SIBURAN (Jan 15): Sarawak is leading other states in implementing the Cloud-Based Clinic Management System (CCMS) in health clinics, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

He noted that over 65 per cent or 153 out of 270 health clinics across Sarawak currently have been equipped with CCMS.

“Sarawak is ahead of other states because 153 out of 270 health clinics in the state, or more than 65 percent, already have CCMS. This means services in clinics with CCMS are now digital.

“Among other things, this facility allows services to be delivered faster and more efficiently,” he told reporters after officiating the opening of Serian Health Clinic and Siburan Health Clinic here.

He added that with CCMS, doctors can make better clinical decisions based on faster and more consistent data.

He also said that digitising health clinics through CCMS is a forward step by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to integrate services and build the digital ecosystem that is now much needed.

“What was previously done manually, such as searching for patient records, which was very slow, can now be resolved with this system,” he said.

Earlier in his officiating speech, Dr Dzulkefly said that Serian and Siburan Health Clinics are designed to function as One Stop Centres, capable of accommodating up to 500 patients daily, thus reducing congestion at major hospitals such as Sarawak General Hospital (HUS) and Serian Hospital.

He explained that Serian Health Clinic now serves as a main hub combining services that were previously scattered.

“Previously, the Outpatient Unit was housed in Serian Hospital, while the Maternal and Child Clinic and Community Clinic operated in separate locations. Today, all these services are consolidated under one roof, complete with X-ray, medical laboratory, and rehabilitation facilities,” he said.

As for Siburan Health Clinic, it was built to cater to the rapidly growing population of the Siburan district, which exceeds 46,000 residents.

The clinic also provides additional services such as the One-Stop Centre for Addiction Treatment (OSCA), palliative care, and domiciliary services.

“This proves that our primary health clinics have evolved and are capable of offering holistic treatment to the community,” he added.

Dr Dzulkefly said that the health challenges faced in the past and those expected in the future should be used as a basis to improve and strengthen the existing health system.

Hence, the planning and implementation of health programs that align with changing health risk patterns are timely steps to realise a more resilient and future-proof health system.

“In line with this commitment, we must boldly make a paradigm shift. We must move from a ‘reactive, illness-centred treatment’ approach to a ‘proactive, preventive, promotive, and predictive patient-centred healthcare’ approach,” he said.

Sarawak Health Department director Dr Veronica Lugah said in her speech that the Serian Health Clinic was developed at a cost of approximately RM23.9 million, covering a building area of around 2,790 square metres.

The clinic is designed to support a service capacity of 300 to 500 patients per day and is expected to provide services to more than 85,000 residents in the Serian district.

Meanwhile, Siburan Health Clinic was developed at a cost of around RM28.7 million with a similar building size and service capacity.

The clinic is expected to provide services to nearly 81,000 residents in the Siburan area, she said.

Dr Veronica added that both clinics also serve as important health platforms for public health activities and promoting community-based health initiatives.

Also present at the event were Deputy Health Minister Dato Hanifah Hajar Taib; Sarawak Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang; MoH Deputy Secretary General (Finance) Dato Sri Zahrul Hakim Abdullah; Deputy Director General (Public Health) Dr Ismuni Bohari; and Director of Family Health Development Division Dato Dr Norsiah Ali.