SHAH ALAM, Jan 6 — Selcare Ambulance, a subsidiary of Selgate Healthcare, plays a pivotal role in the Selangor state-owned company’s plan to launch a hospital network by this year.
Since its launch on October 17, 2023, the service has been addressing gaps in emergency medical care while preparing for the opening of Selgate’s hospitals.
“We launched Selcare Ambulance primarily to support our hospitals,” said Selgate Healthcare chief strategy officer Tengku Iesta Tengku Alaudin in an interview with CodeBlue here last December 4.
“But while waiting for them to become operational, we’re running these businesses independently — just like Selcare Nursing, Selcare Pharmacy, and Selcare Diagnostics.”
The ambulance service is a cornerstone of Selgate Healthcare’s broader strategy, which includes the opening of Selgate Specialist Hospital Rawang in the middle of this year, Selgate Specialist Hospital Sepang late this year, and Selgate Specialist Hospital Setia Alam in early 2026. It also serves as a platform to refine operations in preparation for these facilities.
In addition to these three hospitals, SELGATE plans to expand its network with new hospitals in Kuala Selangor, Shah Alam, Penang, and Ulu Tiram in Johor.
Unlike traditional models where hospitals operate their own ambulances, Selcare Ambulance takes a centralised approach, offering emergency and non-emergency medical transport across SELGATE’s entire network.
“This centralised approach ensures efficient allocation of resources and high-quality care across the SELGATE network,” Tengku Iesta said.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends one ambulance per 50,000 people in urban areas and one per 100,000 in rural areas. However, needs vary depending on hospital capacity, demand, and location.
Currently operating with a single ambulance, Selcare Ambulance plans to scale its fleet in line with the expansion of Selgate Healthcare’s hospital network.
In Rawang, with a population of about 200,000 and Selgate Specialist Hospital Rawang offering 224 beds, Selcare Ambulance anticipates needing two ambulances to handle both hospital and community emergencies.
In Sepang, with a rapidly growing population of 325,000 and Selgate Specialist Hospital Sepang providing 112 beds, at least two ambulances will be required to manage both urbanisation and the area’s proximity to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
For Setia Alam, located within Shah Alam’s population of 750,000 and with Selgate Specialist Hospital Setia Alam offering 130 beds, three ambulances are projected to be necessary to balance emergencies and hospital transport in an urban area.
“This allocation aligns broadly with WHO guidelines but is adjusted to reflect the unique demographics, bed capacities, and healthcare demands of each location. However, we will definitely have at least one ambulance fixed at our specialist hospitals.
“Any additional number of ambulances per location reflects the flexible deployment of Selcare Ambulance resources ensuring that services can adapt to changing needs effectively,” Tengku Iesta said.
Current Operations: Partnerships, Centralised Management
Based in Section 7, Shah Alam, Selcare Ambulance currently operates with one ambulance and relies on strategic partnerships with reputable ambulance providers to manage surges in demand and extend its reach within Klang Valley. This approach ensures a seamless, flexible response to both routine and high-demand situations, maintaining the highest standards of care.
During peak periods or in special cases, additional ambulances from partner organisations are integrated into the operations. Selcare Ambulance manages its fleet centrally, dispatching resources based on demand.
This matches the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) plans to “Uberise” ambulance services with a shared pool of government and private ambulances, shifting from the traditional model of hospitals having to own their ambulances.
Beyond emergencies and patient transfers, Selcare Ambulance actively supports community programmes such as health screenings, school and state-level sports tournaments, and charity events like golf tournaments and charity runs.
Handling up to eight cases weekly, the service is scaling up with new ambulances to align with the operational needs of Selgate Healthcare’s hospitals and extend its positive impact across communities.
“As Selcare Ambulance grows, its fleet will be strategically expanded to meet the needs of these new facilities while maintaining its partnerships to ensure flexibility and capacity for high-demand scenarios,” said Tengku Iesta.
A key feature of Selcare Ambulance is its dual-professional staffing. Unlike most MOH ambulances, which typically have only one medical professional onboard, Selcare Ambulance crews include both a paramedic and a driver certified in Basic Life Support (BLS). This ensures better support during demanding tasks like cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which can be physically exhausting.
“Apart from recruiting new talent, we train internal staff to become certified paramedics. We’re proud to develop in-house skills while opening doors for more to join our team,” Tengku Iesta said.
Selcare Ambulance is equipped with state-of-the-art devices – including electrocardiogram (ECG) monitors, automated external defibrillators (AEDs), suction devices, and intubation kits – to meet the national 15-minute emergency response target.
“For distances within 30km, we aim to reach the scene within 10 to 15 minutes. Our protocol prioritises emergency calls over non-emergency cases to ensure critical patients receive timely medical attention,” said Dr Khairul Anwar Mohd Yusop of Selcare Clinic Puchong, who also serves as a paramedic for Selcare Ambulance.
Response times may vary when handling multiple calls, as emergency cases are given priority. Patients are transported to public and private facilities based on proximity and needs.
Selcare Ambulance offers a transparent pricing model based on service zones, medical equipment, procedures, and specific patient needs. Rates are determined by factors such as distance, required procedures, and medical staff involved.
For basic ambulance services, rates range from RM250 to RM350 in urban and semi-urban areas, and RM350 to RM700 in mixed urban-rural and rural areas. This is mainly due to the distances involved.
Additional charges include RM700 to RM1,200 for ambulance standby (eight hours, with RM100 for each extra hour) for events.
Medical procedures are priced separately, such as AED usage at RM700, intubation at RM300, suctioning at RM60, and wound dressing at RM70 to RM100.
“Selcare Ambulance ensures fair pricing and high-quality care tailored to the needs of patients in urban and rural areas. This pricing structure ensures comprehensive and efficient care for all patients while maintaining transparency,” Tengku Iesta said.
The importance of Selcare Ambulance was evident during a Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) annual event in 2023, where a food stall accident involving hot oil left a father and his children injured. Selcare Ambulance was on-site, responding swiftly with first aid and transporting the victims to the nearest hospital.
This incident underscores the critical role that Selcare Ambulance plays at community events, providing essential support in emergencies while extending its services to all districts in Selangor.
Looking ahead, Selcare Ambulance aims to deepen its presence in the community, scaling its operations to meet the growing demands of a diverse population. By continually refining its services and strengthening ties with local communities, Selcare Ambulance strives to embody the values of swift, reliable, and compassionate care, ensuring no one is left behind in times of need.
To call for a Selcare ambulance, dial 1800-22-6600.
