MIH Megatrends 2024: MCMC Highlights Connectivity, Experts Call For National EMR System

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has highlighted the importance of connectivity at the Malaysia International Healthcare (MIH) Megatrends 2024, where healthcare professionals called for a National Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system to enhance patient care and data security.

During the MIH Megatrends 2024 Pocket Talk session, the Honorary Treasurer of the Private Practitioners Section (PPS) of the Malaysian Medical Association, Dr Gokilavani Sekar Chandran also emphasised the importance of integrating smart technologies into healthcare to foster patient-centred care.

“Adopting smart technologies in private healthcare, ranging from private hospitals to General Practitioner (GP) clinics and pharmacies is essential for elevating patient experience and care quality,” she said during the session at the MCMC Pavilion, recently. 

The Pocket Talk, titled “Global Smart Private Healthcare Market: Key Players, Strategic Investment, and Growth Forecast”, featured a panel comprising experts from the healthcare industry and moderated by President of the Association of Private Hospitals Datuk Dr Kuljit.

Gokilavani also expressed hope for the establishment of a National EMR system that would enable seamless access to medical histories.

“Our vision is to implement a National EMR soon, creating a secure digital footprint for each patient. This would enhance care continuity and ensure better health outcomes,” she said.

Meanwhile, a delegate who joined the Pocket Talk, Pragase Komargan highlighted critical cybersecurity concerns associated with the digital transformation in healthcare.

She stressed that as the sector shifts towards advanced technological solutions, prioritising cybersecurity is vital to protect sensitive data and maintain trust.

“The government is making significant strides towards a 'one patient, one medical record' system, which would greatly benefit healthcare professionals and patients alike by streamlining processes, saving time, and reducing costs.

“Healthcare contains significant personal information, and we must not overlook the security needed to safeguard this data,” she said.

Another delegate Nisha Parveen Kaur, reiterated concerns about data security during the transition to cloud solutions.

“I think what they highlighted in the session was the data security concern. Stakeholders must focus not only on security during initial setups but also during system upgrades to ensure the entire ecosystem remains secure from end to end,” she said.

Previously the Minister of Health Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad emphasised that MCMC’s role as the Future Healthcare Frontier Partner for MIH Megatrends 2024 was pivotal in elevating the conference's standards, solidifying its position as a leader in healthcare innovation.

MCMC’s participation in the event, held from October 25 to 27, also highlighted the critical aspect of connectivity within the healthcare sector.

-- BERNAMA