Background Emergency Response Services (ERS) are vital for timely intervention during medical crises, trauma and disasters. In Malaysia, the centralized Malaysian Emergency Response Services 999 (MERS 999) system coordinates pre-hospital care but faces persistent challenges with delayed response times. Methodology This cross-sectional study analyzed secondary data from the MERS 999 database on all trauma and medical emergency calls recorded in Perak from January to December 2023. Invalid and non-emergency calls were excluded. De-identified data included call classification, time intervals and location. Descriptive and inferential analyses assessed differences between medical and trauma emergencies and evaluated response time intervals. Results Of 34,896 emergency calls in 2023, 34,347 were analyzed. Medical emergencies comprised 65.9% of calls, with the highest volumes in Kinta, Larut, Matang & Selama and Kuala Kangsar. Call rates per 100,000 population were highest in Kampar and Larut, Matang & Selama. Respiratory distress and unconsciousness dominated medical emergencies, while traffic accidents and falls led trauma cases. Most emergencies occurred within 5-10 km of response locations, with government hospitals managing most cases. Response times in all districts exceeded both WHO and national targets, with longer delays in medical than trauma emergencies. Conclusion This study reveals notable disparities in emergency call distribution and response times across Perak, with medical emergencies imposing a greater burden on pre-hospital services. Targeted resource allocation, improved dispatch efficiency and strategic interventions are essential to enhance response times and emergency care delivery.
Zul et al. (Mon,) studied this question.
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