‘200 MORE NEUROLOGISTS NEEDED’
Their role is vital as 92 cases related to stroke are reported daily, says Health D-G
THE country needs about 200 more neurologists to provide better services for the growing number of stroke patients.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said currently, Malaysia had 107 neurology specialists, of whom 50 specialists and trainees were from the Health Ministry, 33 specialists and trainees from university hospitals and the rest are from the private sector.
He said 92 cases related to stroke were reported every day in hospitals nationwide.
“It is hoped that more neurologists would be available to care for stroke patients in the coming years. Around 40 per cent of the patients are aged below 60.
“Some 32 deaths by stroke are recorded every day,” said Dr Noor Hisham after officiating at the First Malaysia Stroke Conference here yesterday.
He said all general hospitals had neurologists except those in Kedah and Perlis.
“We are training about 11 specialists and will place them there in a year or two.”
While admitting that it would take a long time to train a sufficient number of neurologists, he said specialists from other departments could lend a hand in treating stroke patients.
He cited the role of emergency specialists, where they could provide early treatment.
“We are no longer offering services vertically, but also horizontally, where specialists from other departments can work together.”
He also said government hospitals could adopt new technologies such as intravenous thrombolysis to treat stroke.