Malaysia’s Ministry of Health (MOH) is set to begin testing artificial intelligence (AI) technology at selected government hospitals as part of a pilot project aimed at evaluating its effectiveness before rolling it out nationwide.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the proof-of-concept initiative is part of the ministry’s broader plan to transform public healthcare facilities into Smart Hospitals through the adoption of AI-driven digital technologies and the upgrading of healthcare infrastructure.
In a Facebook post, Dzulkefly revealed that the proposal was discussed during a courtesy visit by the senior management of ZTE Malaysia, who also introduced the company’s newly appointed chief executive officer to the ministry.
During the meeting, both parties explored opportunities to strengthen Malaysia’s public healthcare system using the latest digital solutions. Among the proposals presented were upgrading existing network infrastructure to faster and more energy-efficient fibre optic technology, as well as deploying AI to automate clinical documentation and reduce the administrative workload faced by doctors.
Dzulkefly stressed that patient safety and uninterrupted healthcare services would remain the ministry’s highest priority throughout the implementation process, noting that government hospitals operate around the clock.
He added that every new technology introduced must be carefully assessed to ensure it is safe, reliable and fully compatible with existing healthcare systems, including the ministry’s ongoing Electronic Medical Record (EMR) project.
The Health Minister said the digital transformation marks another important step towards building a smarter, faster and more efficient national healthcare system that will ultimately improve the quality of care for Malaysians.
