BOOKING AMBULANCE MADE EASY WITH MALAYSIA’S FIRST EMS APP

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 12  (Bernama) -- Poised to transform the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) industry,  FirstHealthAssist is Malaysia’s first-ever ambulance booking app, offering users seamless access to ambulance services with a tap on their mobile devices.

The collaborative initiative between Digital Vibes Asia (DVA), a leading digital marketing agency, and FirstHealthAssist is designed to serve the public on emergency and non-emergency medical needs through an affordable and accessible approach.

According to DVA chief executive officer Mark Lester Jackson, FirstHealthAssist is all about transforming patient care through patient-focused solutions that are innovative and efficient.

“We are thrilled to bring forth a service that would benefit the well-being of our community. FirstHealthAssist, scheduled for launch in early 2025, will be an additional tool that would ease the transition of patient care with real-time information and enhanced medical accessibility. 

“With this interface, users will be able to track the ambulance's location and estimated arrival time, which could potentially assist in critical situations. Additionally, the geo-mapping services integrated within the app will benefit users in identifying the preferred healthcare facilities within the vicinities," he told Bernama in an exclusive interview recently.

Emergencies are situations that require immediate medical attention, especially in situations involving accidents, serious health injuries, and medical and other life-threatening conditions.

On the other hand, non-emergency ambulance transfers are intended for non-urgent medical situations, such as hospital referrals and scheduled procedures, including follow-ups. Regardless of cases, callers can utilise FirstHealthAssist to make their preferred choices in receiving medical care, be it in public or private healthcare facilities. 

Elaborating on the added services, Mark said that the app will expedite the processes of acquiring an ambulance service as users have direct access to the nearest ambulance. 

“Our soon-to-launch app is designed to complement existing national emergency numbers and private hotlines by offering a dedicated platform focused specifically on medical emergencies and non-emergency needs.

“The aim is to enhance the overall emergency response ecosystem, providing the community with greater access to specialised care and offering an additional layer of support to the community for emergency medical services,” he added.

With FirstHealthAssist, emergencies will be handled more efficiently and effectively. Each ambulance will be fully equipped with comprehensive medical equipment and staffed by certified professionals, all offered at a fraction of the current market cost, making it more affordable and accessible to a broader demographic.

Mark said this is just the first phase of the collaborative initiative with First Health and other ambulance service providers in the country for users within the Klang Valley. The services will continue to progress nationwide by 2026.

Phase two will revolutionise emergency medical services with two-wheel paramedic units for critical care and patient stabilisation. It includes a Volunteer Emergency Responders Network, connecting trained off-duty professionals via an app, and Smart Ambulances with telemedicine for real-time doctor communication during transfers.

Additional initiatives include integrating AI-driven diagnostic tools to support paramedics in making critical decisions, introducing specialised ambulance services, and using big data analytics for data-driven emergency planning to identify high-risk areas and predict the demand for EMS services.

-- BERNAMA