According to the ministry, 3,768,067 operations have been carried out since the initiative was launched in July 2018 to reduce delays for critical procedures and prevent new backlogs from forming.
The ministry said it has received 353,253 calls through the initiative’s hotline, with 328,023 post-surgery cases followed up on since July 2023 to ensure continuity of care.
Patients are assigned centrally to participating hospitals based on capacity in an effort to shorten waiting times, the ministry said, adding that procedures are provided free of charge. Priority is given to urgent cases and patients with limited financial means.
To support the programme, the ministry expanded capacity at participating hospitals through staff training, the provision of medical equipment and supplies, and the rollout of a unified electronic system linking hospitals and relevant authorities to manage referrals and follow-up.
The initiative covers a range of major and specialized procedures, including heart and orthopaedic surgery, ophthalmology, cancer treatment, neurosurgery, cardiac and cerebral catheterization, kidney and liver transplants, cochlear implants, and peripheral vascular interventions.
The ministry added that citizens seeking to register can do so through the initiative’s official website or by contacting the health hotlines 105 and 15300.
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