PETALING JAYA – The Ministry of Health will be strengthening security standard operating procedures (SOPs) at government healthcare facilities to prevent impersonation of medical personnel, said Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad.
“We will not compromise on anything that may endanger patient safety,” Dzulkefly told reporters in Putrajaya today, as quoted by Bernama. “We want to get to the bottom of this. We are reviewing all aspects of security—including the online sale of medical uniforms and equipment.”
The move follows a recent incident in which a man allegedly posed as an assistant medical officer at Tuanku Fauziah Hospital in Kangar, Perlis. Dzulkefly emphasised that the ministry is taking the matter seriously and will implement measures to close any loopholes that could allow for such impersonations to happen again. In a separate development, the health minister said the long-awaited ePlacement system for medical officers is nearly ready for launch.
“The system and its algorithm have been reviewed. I’ve been informed by the relevant division that it can be implemented soon,” he said. The revamped ePlacement system is intended to replace the current “first come, first served” model with a more transparent, fair, and merit-based allocation process for medical officer placements.