M'sia still short of 900 emergency medicine specialists - Hilmi

Malaysia still short of 900 emergency medicine specialists to be able to meet the needs of increasing number of patients in the country, according to Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahya.

He said, at present, only 300 emergency medicine specialists are available nationwide.

"An average of 200 people apply each year to become emergency medicine specialists, but only 60 will be selected as only three public universities in the country - Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Malaya and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia - were offering the course.

"As such, I hope more local public and private universities in the country can offer such a course to enable us to achieve the target of having at least 900 emergency medicine specialists," he told reporters after launching the Heart Wars: First Malaysia Mass CPR in Costume programme at Aman Central here, Saturday.

Approximately 500 people participated in the programme, which required them to dress up in superhero costumes and perform cardio pulmonary resuscitation.

The event also made it to The Malaysia Book of Records.