Persada accelerates integrated digital connectivity

KUALA LUMPUR - Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil recently toured the Padang Besar Health Clinic in Perlis to assess the National Digital Health Ecosystem and Connectivity Catalyst Initiative, known as Persada. This collaboration between the Communications Ministry via the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Health Ministry aims to enhance healthcare delivery through integrated digital and technological connectivity.

During his visit, Fahmi was informed about the progress of the initiative and witnessed demonstrations of digital solutions supporting the national healthcare system, including electronic medical records (EMR) and connectivity applications for healthcare services. Persada focuses on improving connectivity at health clinics and hospitals across the country, supporting the implementation of EMR, and exploring new technologies to expand access to healthcare services.

By implementing Persada, stronger connectivity will enable smoother sharing of health information and lay the foundation for the implementation of the "One Individual, One Health Record" aspiration. Patients' health records will ensure continuity of care when seeking treatment at different facilities or locations, resulting in a more seamless and organized healthcare experience while potentially reducing waiting times. Upon completion, it is anticipated that the majority of patients will receive treatment within an hour.

Last month, Persada received a RM1 billion allocation, with an additional RM350 million announced by the government, to bolster connectivity, digital systems, and supporting infrastructure for the national public healthcare network. The project will be executed in two phases up to 2028, encompassing 150 government hospitals and 2,488 public healthcare facilities nationwide.

The Central Clinical Management System (CCMS) platform, a key component of Persada, will enable doctors and nurses to access patients' medical histories in real-time, reducing reliance on paper records and fragmented transfers between facilities. The system may also help reduce waiting times, expedite diagnosis, and minimize repeated tests by providing patients' medical information more readily across the public healthcare system.