Lean Healthcare

Lean is about eliminating waste in work processes and optimizing available resources. This initiative was first introduced in 2013 at Hospital Sultan Ismail, Johor Bharu with the aim to reduce waiting time at Orthopaedic and Oncology specialist clinic. It was introduced as part of government’s effort to improve efficiency of public service delivery to the public; whilst tackling issue of overcrowding at public hospitals. Following its success, the initiatives were expanded to other hospitals within Ministry of Health (MOH) by trainers from the Institute for Health Management. Since its commencement, at least 52 hospitals had been trained and has implemented Lean Healthcare initiatives at their hospitals, involving various departments such as Oncology clinic, Orthopaedic clinic, Ophthalmology clinic, Emergency Department, Medical Wards, and Outpatient pharmacies. This initiative does not stop at the hospitals, as it has currently expanded involving the more than 150 health facilities under the public health, pharmaceutical services and oral health programmes or divisions under the MOH.