KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 23 -- Patients at Hospital Kuala Lumpur's orthopaedic clinic face waits of up to six hours as a severe staff shortage left only five medical officers and seven specialists attending to as many as 300 cases a day, the Health Ministry has admitted.

In a written parliamentary reply on Thursday, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad said investigations found the department to have lost 62 per cent of its doctors through transfers, resignations, and postgraduate studies without immediate replacements.

This was compounded by the fact that most patients present with complex cases, leading to lengthy consultations and compounding delays.

The minister said hospital discussions have suggested improving communication by in...