WHEN I was caring for my first child during her first year, I shouldered most of the responsibilities since my husband was working in another state.
Occasionally, my mother would accompany me for immunisation appointments.
Juggling a full-time job and single-handedly caring for my child proved to be stressful, especially when trying to stay on top of immunisation appointments.
The situation was exacerbated as I lived a distance from my parents and in-laws. Furthermore, the challenge of finding an affordable babysitter added to my emotional stress and fatigue.
However, after the birth of my second child, managing my children’s healthcare became more seamless, thanks to the MySejahtera application.
The Health Ministry’s integration of electronic immunisation records into the application has significantly streamlined the immunisation process.
Relying on this secure application for my health records and my children’s immunisations has had a positive impact on my well-being. I now spend less time organising physical documents, allowing me more time for rest and other tasks.
I have also noticed a change in the attitudes of healthcare providers, who now have less paperwork. Medical staff seem more relaxed as they have to sift through fewer records, and can swiftly retrieve patients’ histories during medical visits, enhancing their overall efficiency.
In addition, I can schedule my children’s immunisation appointments directly through the MySejahtera application, putting clinic services and availability at our fingertips.
Scheduling visits has become less stressful as I do not have to spend time on the phone making appointments, which is now only a few clicks away, and it can be done at any time day or night, even when clinics are closed.
The electronic system has helped parents like me and healthcare providers in pragmatic ways.
As a busy mother of two, I appreciate the convenience offered by the MySejahtera application, enhancing the accessibility of healthcare services.
Recently, I was delighted when the new health minister, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, expressed his commitment to implementing the digital transformation plan. Concerned that the Health White Paper, presented six months ago, may be overlooked, I find it reassuring that the ministry is prioritising it. MySejahtera and other digital health solutions can benefit the public tremendously.
Parenting today is different compared with our parents’ era. We face unique challenges, such as dual household income necessity and smaller urban nuclear families with limited support.
We need new forms of assistance, including technological advancements in healthcare management. The assurance of having accurate and accessible immunisation data and simplified appointment scheduling, not only gives me confidence as a parent, but allows me to to utilise my time more effectively.
The Health Ministry’s move towards digitalising child immunisation is a commendable step forward.
Siti Ahmad
Selangor
