A total of 42 cluster hospitals were established within 10 years, involving 146 out of the 149 hospitals nationwide, said Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa.

She said that the remaining three hospitals, namely Kangar Hospital, Labuan Hospital and Langkawi Hospital were not operating as cluster hospitals because they do not have small clinics nearby.

However, she said that the hospitals continue to work with other hospitals, for example Kangar Hospital and Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital (HSA).

“Perhaps in the future, if there is a plan to build a new clinic or hospital nearby, the three hospitals will be turned into cluster hospitals,” she told reporters after attending the Ministry of Health’s monthly assembly here today.

A cluster hospital is formed through the combination of two or more specialist hospitals and non-specialist hospitals in the same geographical location through the sharing of resources.

Dr Zaliha said the implementation of the cluster hospital initiative enables the ministry to continue providing high-quality services while also saving money through bulk purchases and the sharing of resources among the hospitals involved.

"In 2019, a total of RM1.26 million in savings was recorded through the bulk purchase of consumable items in 10 cluster hospitals," she said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency