![Iklan](https://elskynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Altimet-RidhuanTee-LaguRaya-LaguRayaModen-HiburanMalaysia-SelebritiMalaysia-TrendingMalaysia-ViralMalaysia-MusicMalaysia-EntertainmentNews-1.png")
KUALA LUMPUR, JULY 2026 – Patients seeking non-cancer elective surgery at Ministry of Health facilities may face waiting periods ranging from two weeks to 13 months, depending on the procedure, clinical priority and available hospital capacity.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad disclosed the figures in a written Dewan Rakyat reply to Puncak Borneo MP Datuk Willie Anak Mongin. He said cardiothoracic surgery, paediatric surgery and urology were among the disciplines recording longer waiting times.
The extended delays were attributed mainly to human-resource constraints, particularly the limited number of specialists available compared with growing demand for services in the three fields.
Waiting times for elective cancer surgery were comparatively shorter, ranging from one to six weeks. The ministry has set a target for cancer patients to undergo surgery within no more than four weeks, although actual scheduling may vary according to clinical circumstances and capacity.
Emergency cases continue to receive priority for surgery. Patients scheduled for elective procedures must first complete pre-operative assessments and preparations, including blood tests, diagnostic examinations, radiology scans and other clinical evaluations to determine whether they are fit to undergo surgery safely.
The findings highlight continuing pressure on Malaysia’s public health system, particularly in highly specialised surgical services that require trained teams, operating theatres, intensive-care support and suitable hospital beds.
In a separate written parliamentary reply dated July 14, Dzulkefly said 1,928 specialists, including 279 subspecialists, were registered between July 1, 2025 and May 31, 2026 following the enforcement of the Medical (Amendment) Act 2024.
The registrations included 11 cardiothoracic surgeons, 10 paediatric surgeons and 18 urologists. By comparison, family medicine recorded 256 registrations, while anaesthesiology and critical care and emergency medicine each registered 110 specialists.
Other surgical disciplines recorded smaller numbers, including 57 specialists in general surgery, 19 in neurosurgery and 10 in plastic surgery. However, the registration figures do not represent the number of specialists currently employed by the ministry, as some may be working in private hospitals or other institutions.
