MOH To Launch On-Demand Ambulance Services Through Ride-Hailing App

Through partnerships with private hospitals, the Ministry of Health (MOH) aims to modernize Malaysia's ambulance services by implementing an e-hailing-inspired service for their operations. The plan calls for replacing the conventional 999 hotline with a dedicated app that provides access to a shared pool of ambulances from the public and private sectors.
Patients can easily request ambulance services using the proposed app, which will improve patient experiences overall and speed up response times and wait times. In the event of an emergency, the closest ambulance—whether private or MOH—will arrive and take patients to the nearest hospital.
According to MOH deputy secretary-general Norazman Ayob, the move will improve the coordination of emergency medical services and remove the need for hospitals to own ambulances because the ministry intends to lease ambulances and drivers—possibly including paramedics—under the new system.

Ambulance rides to government hospitals will continue to be free, but those who choose private facilities would have to pay, the deputy secretary-general explained on social media.
The plan was supported by Dr. Kuljit Singh, head of the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia, who pointed out the shortcomings of the current system. By addressing these problems, the shared pool model seeks to enhance resource use, guarantee quicker access to care, increase the speed at which life-threatening or critical circumstances are handled, and improve patient outcomes.