Kuala Lumpur:The Health Ministry plans to procure 400 new ambulances under Budget 2027 to improve emergency response services, as the response rate for critical Priority 1 emergencies fell short of the national target in 2025.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad reported that the response rate for these emergencies was 34.01 percent in 2025, below the 50 percent key performance indicator target for ambulance arrivals within 15 minutes. The ministry is analyzing response performance to identify improvements, with close attention from both the minister and the Health director-general.
The ministry is also working to strengthen the Malaysia Emergency Response Services (MERS) 999 system and is monitoring patient transfer performance through specific indicators, including ambulance activation time. This statement was made during Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat as a response to concerns from Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias (BN-Jelebu) about ambulance SOPs, following reported delays of up to an hour in ambulance arrivals in his constituency.
Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced an allocation of more than RM770 million under Budget 2027 to accelerate diagnosis and treatment at healthcare facilities. This budget includes funds for advanced medical equipment and the new ambulances.
Dr Dzulkefly also highlighted that paramedics are receiving real-time treatment and resuscitation guidance from emergency medicine specialists to enhance emergency care effectiveness. To address access to specialist services in rural areas, the ministry is implementing measures like the cluster hospital concept, which facilitates resource, expertise, and equipment sharing among hospitals.
A total of 43 hospital clusters have been established nationwide, enabling major hospitals to support those without specialist services, thus broadening access to medical treatment. Additionally, selected clinical services are being extended to rural health clinics and hospitals without specialists to improve management of chronic diseases, early screening, and continuity of care.
Improved access to surgery in rural areas is also being pursued through the global surgery initiative, allowing specialists to perform procedures such as cataract and hernia surgeries in hospitals lacking specialist services.