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New Straits Times
24-07-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Drones to deliver medicines in remote Sabah
KOTA KINABALU: A new partnership between the Health Ministry and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will bring digital healthcare services, including drone medicine deliveries, to rural and remote areas of Sabah. In a joint statement Wednesday, the health ministry and MCMC said the pilot drone project will be based at the Tawau Health Clinic and will serve two nearby National Information Dissemination Centres (Nadi). "Sabah was selected based on its stable 4G (94.4 per cent) and 5G (69 per cent) network coverage, as well as the state's challenging geography, which necessitates innovative solutions to ensure continued treatment and medicine supply to the population," the statement said. The collaboration will also focus on seven other key initiatives to strengthen digital healthcare in rural areas. These include upgrading communications infrastructure, equipping rural and community clinics with computers and electronic medical record (EMR) systems, and installing telehealth kiosks at Nadi centres. Additional efforts involve implementing cybersecurity measures at health facilities, providing EMR adaptation grants, establishing a Smart Hospital Innovation Hub, and enhancing Malaysia's participation in global digital health platforms. The statement described the strategic collaboration as crucial, noting that the nation is facing systemic challenges such as an ageing population, a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and an imbalance in the patient-to-healthcare worker ratio. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ministry "greatly welcomes this collaboration" as it can enhance the public healthcare system by offering innovative and people-friendly solutions. "It is a significant approach to addressing the challenges of modern healthcare, especially in areas with limited access," he said. The initiative will expand e-Health services through 1,099 NADI centres, offering virtual consultations and improved digital access in rural areas, the statement said. The Health Ministry and MCMC will also work to improve digital health literacy to build public trust in these services. "This initiative is expected to deliver positive impact to the people, while also supporting the nation's aspiration to become a regional leader in digital health and a global health innovation hub in line with the aspirations of the MADANI Government," it said.
The Star
23-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Health Ministry, MCMC to use drones and telehealth to boost rural healthcare access
Health Ministry and MCMC officials at the launch of the drone medicine delivery pilot project. KOTA KINABALU: A strategic collaboration between the Health Ministry (MOH) and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will see digital healthcare services extended to rural and interior areas of Sabah, including the delivery of medicine using drones. In a joint statement on Wednesday (July 23), MOH and MCMC said the pilot drone project will be based at the Tawau Health Clinic and will serve two nearby National Information Dissemination Centres (Nadi). Sabah was selected for the pilot due to its high 4G and 5G coverage — 94.4% and 69% respectively — as well as its geographical challenges that demand innovative solutions to ensure continued treatment and medicine access. The collaboration will encompass eight major initiatives: upgrading communications infrastructure to support future healthcare needs; equipping rural clinics, including rural and community clinics, with computers and electronic medical record (EMR) systems; installing telehealth kiosks at Nadi centres; delivering medicine using drones to remote areas; implementing cybersecurity measures at health facilities; providing adaptation grants for EMR systems; establishing a Smart Hospital Innovation Hub; and strengthening Malaysia's participation in global digital health platforms. A drone takes off during the demonstration at a NADI centre. The initiative will also enable cloud-based systems and virtual consultation platforms to support treatment continuity, follow-up care, and medicine delivery to hard-to-reach areas. A key focus is also placed on enhancing digital health literacy among rural communities to boost public confidence in the safety and effectiveness of these services. 'MOH welcomes this partnership as it strengthens the public healthcare system through innovative, people-friendly solutions. It is a crucial approach to tackle today's healthcare challenges, especially in hard-to-access areas,' said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad in the statement. With 1,099 Nadi centres nationwide acting as digital gateways, the public — including those in rural areas — will be able to access virtual consultations and telehealth services, furthering the national goal of '1 Individual, 1 Record' and reinforcing the digital health ecosystem. The ministry said this move also supports Malaysia's aspiration to become a regional leader in digital health and a global hub for health innovation in line with the Madani government's vision.
