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is pivotal to advancing medical practice and patient care .

“ One of the key outcomes of digitalisation is the seamless sharing of information between public and private healthcare providers ,” Dr Hanafiah noted . This facilitates the escalation of treatments between hospitals and alleviates patient congestion .

“ At the KL Campus , which includes HCTM , Children ’ s Specialist Hospital ( HPKK ), UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute ( UMBI ) and UKM Specialist Centre ( UKMSC ) – we continue to upgrade our equipment and processes to the latest standards as much as possible , keeping up to date with best practices and current technological advances .

“ This is evident in radiology , surgery , and most disciplines , where the latest techniques and equipment are employed to allow adequate exposure for our trainees .

“ We recently acquired an angiogram and fluoroscopy suite and MRI with AI technology as part of our efforts to digitalise our services .”

Additionally , HCTM has implemented initiatives to improve process management , repurpose idle areas into functional spaces , and replace obsolete equipment .

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES IN DIGITAL ADOPTION

Adopting digital technologies in healthcare faces several challenges : lack of policy direction , ambiguity in industry standards , and limited access to financing .

Dr Hanafiah highlighted these obstacles : “ Why are we doing it ? Why should we be doing it ? Right now , we are making our way through deciding on a digital adoption strategy according to each of our individual goals .

“ Someone should lead the way and have a vision that unites everyone . Which standards should we use ? Even health records have many standards – each with advantages and disadvantages - and many different systems and vendors .

“ New technologies need good robust financing , but there are too many pressing needs and demands , and there are fewer funds available to address them adequately .”

HCTM addresses these challenges incrementally , focusing on transformation before digitalisation and securing funding .

“ Transforming people , processes , and infrastructure is crucial before implementing digital solutions ,” he emphasised .

“ Digitalisation involves high capital expenditure and maintenance . Access to funding , willingness to spend , and ability to spend wisely are also key to the success of the digitalisation initiative .”

The capital expenditure for such initiatives can be substantial , often running into hundreds of millions , making it essential to secure adequate funding and spend wisely .

HCTM DIGITAL HEALTH PROJECTS

HCTM is undertaking digitalisation phases , starting with systems upgrades and data rationalisation .

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“ We are developing a universal platform to enable data to be stored and accessed centrally with open protocols , but with the proper security that is compliant with the standards set by the government ,” he said .

The ongoing implementation of HCTM ’ s Total Healthcare Information System ( THIS ) involves upgrading many existing systems in the hospital and taking steps towards a

“ Digitalisation involves high capital expenditure and maintenance . Access to funding , willingness to spend , and ability to spend wisely are also key to the success of the digitalisation initiative .”

� Prof Datuk Dr Hanafiah Harunarashid

universal platform for storage and access . It also will enable doctors and patient access via self-serve portals and the integration of IoT and AI into the hospital .

Data privacy and security are paramount at HCTM . The hospital strictly adheres to the Personal Data Protection Act ( PDPA ), underscoring its commitment to the highest service and patient experience standards .

“ We abide by industry standards concerning data protection and patient privacy standards in relation to the newly acquired certification of MSQH status .

“ Being a MSQH hospital emphasises our commitment to providing our patients with the best service and experience . HCTM also uses the proper security infrastructure and protocols that ensure proper protection from data breaches and improper access to our system .”

PREPARING FUTURE HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

Education and training are integral to HCTM ’ s mission . The institution aligns its curriculum with current technological advancements , ensuring graduates are well-versed in digital clinical environments .

“ Digitalisation and robotics involve the staff , who must learn how to use it . So , we need to invest in training staff on new digital health technologies and systems .”

Advocacy programs , digital literacy initiatives , and training programs are in place to prepare healthcare professionals for the digital shift in tandem with the implementation of THIS .

“ By integrating innovation , technology , and education within a sustainable ecosystem , we are not only improving healthcare outcomes but also positioning Malaysia as a leader in global health innovation ,” summarised Dr Hanafiah .

The UKM Health Technopolis is a testament to Malaysia ’ s commitment to advancing its healthcare system and ensuring its citizens ’ brighter , healthier future .