Page 21 - MOH Supply and Needs-Based Requirement Hyperlink 02032021

13 EXTENDED EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Total number of local nursing colleges/ institutions 76
• Proportion of public and private nursing colleges/ 41% public,
institutions 59% private
Source: Nursing Division

1.2.5 Assistant Medical Officer (AMO)

Assistant Medical Officer (AMO) profession have existed in Malaysia for almost two centuries
ago. Initially known as ‘apothecaries’, introduced by the British administration in Penang in
1823, their initial function was to sell and dispense medications. During the Colonial period,
they were known as ‘Sub Assistant Surgeons’ and eventually were called ‘Dressars’ by the
Malay Community back then. The term ‘dressar’ originated from the English word ‘Dresser’
which refers to assistant surgeons who dressed patients’ wounds. These ‘Dressars’ served
in remote areas and lived in quarters within the hospital or clinic’s compound to make it
easier for patients to seek help at night or during emergencies. In 1963, they were known as
‘Pembantu Rumah Sakit’ (Infirmary Assistant). Seven years later, it was changed to ‘Pembantu
Hospital’ (Hospital Assistant) and subsequently to ‘Medical Assistants’ in 1985. Currently,
and since 2007, they are called ‘Penolong Pegawai Perubatan’ (Assistant Medical Officers).

The profession with similar scope of practices to Assistant Medical Officers (AMO) is
Physician Assistants (PAs) in the United States. PAs are mainly placed in primary health care
settings, Emergency Departments and subspecialty areas in hospitals. Similar profession
to the AMOs in Malaysia is also found in other countries with variations of the role with
comparable scopes of practice.

An AMO works in hospitals and community clinics and is responsible for providing health
services comprising of promotion, prevention, curative and rehabilitative under the
supervision of Medical Officer. The role of the AMO is divided into primary and secondary
roles as follows:

a. Primary Role

i. To screen (triage) all the patients
ii. To check, diagnose and provide treatment for uncomplicated cases
iii. To counsel and provide health education to the patient and the
surrounding/local community

An AMO also provides initial first aid & treatment in any emergency condition in the
following areas:

• Health clinics
• Community clinic
• National Service camps
• Sport schools
• Estate clinics
• Immigration (health screening)
• Higher learning institutions
• Community Health Services
• Health camps and
• Oil rigs

SUPPLY AND NEEDS-BASED REQUIREMENT PROJECTIONS OF MALAYSIAN HUMAN
RESOURCES FOR HEALTH USING SYSTEM DYNAMICS APPROACH 2016 - 2030