KEPALA BATAS – The setting up of the field intensive care unit (ICU) at the Kepala Batas Hospital here as announced by Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah last week is almost complete and ready to take in patients as early as Tuesday.
The facility is installed with 12 ICU beds for Covid-19 patients requiring ventilators, while another 12 are reserved for Category 4 patients.
Hence, it is currently equipped with 24 beds – a number that can be increased to 30 should there be a need for that.
“What is most important now is the cooperation between the Health Ministry, Penang government and private sector, especially private hospitals that have contributed five anaesthesiologists,” said Dr Noor Hisham during his visit to the field ICU today.
“However, even with additional beds in wards and ICUs, I want to stress that this is not the solution. Stopping the assembling and movement of people is the solution.
“Please help us by conducting a self-lockdown. If everyone can do this, we can break the chain in two weeks, see the drop in cases, so hospitals can better manage patients,” he said, adding that 25% of those currently admitted in hospitals are at Categories 4 and 5.
Since there is a dire need for manpower, Dr Noor Hisham said private hospitals and non-governmental organisations are welcomed to offer help to the ministry.
He also extended his appreciation to the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF).
MAF headquarters chief of staff Datuk Mohd Zakaria Yadi, who was present during the visit, said the dry run for the facility will begin tomorrow.
“This is the mandate that has been given to us by the Defence Ministry.
“There will be five officers, 34 military personnel and 29 individuals who will be running the field ICU.
“The military will play the main role. We will look at the assets and help needed.
“There are also other needs for us to look into, like the availability of nurses, doctors and paramedics, along with equipment.”
There are currently four field ICUs in Malaysia – in Tawau, Sabah; Kapit, Sarawak; Pokok Sena, Kedah; and, the latest in Kepala Batas, Penang.
Zakaria said there are requests from other states like Kelantan and Negri Sembilan to set up the same facility, but added that the requests have to first be reviewed. – The Vibes, May 23, 2021
