The Ministry of Health (MOH) will step up efforts to overcome shortage of specialist doctors in this country, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam.

"We are having shortage of specialists in radiology, pathology and emergency medicine," he told reporters after opening the 10th Scientific Conference of the Ministry of Health and the Academy of Medicine here on Sunday.

Subramaniam said efforts to overcome the problem was to ensure the delivery of better quality health services to the people.

The shortage of specialist doctors was also due to the increase of new facilities such as health clinics and hospitals in some areas.