KUALA LUMPUR – As Covid-19 cases continue to rise steadily in the Klang Valley with 8,868 cases recorded today, the government has announced measures to increase the capacity of hospitals here to avoid possible paralysis in the public healthcare system.
In a statement today, Health Minister Datuk Dr Adham Baba said an additional 60 beds and other medical equipment costing RM1.1 million will be sent to the Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah (HTAR) in Klang.
The aid comes after the hospital reported a shortage of equipment which forced some patients to be admitted on stretchers outside the building’s premises .
He also announced that a field hospital with a capacity of 50 beds will also be built in HTAR’s compound through cooperation with the Armed Forces.
Dr Adham’s statement comes as Malaysia recorded 8,868 new cases, today, taking the nation’s cumulative tally of cases to 808,658.
Within the Klang Valley, Selangor remains the state with the highest number of cases at 4,152, followed by Kuala Lumpur (1,133) and Negri Sembilan (897).
Additionally, Dr Adham said beds at intensive care units (ICUs) will also be increased in a number of hospitals in the Klang Valley, including 20 additional ICU beds in Ampang Hospital and eight at the Universiti Putra Malaysia teaching hospital.
The aid comes after the hospital reported a shortage of equipment which forced some patients to be admitted on stretchers outside the building’s premises. pic.twitter.com/PVhLja06mY
— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) July 8, 2021
The Tuanku Mizan Military Hospital in Wangsa Maju here will also be roped in to accept and treat Category 3 and 4 Covid-19 patients, Dr Adham said.
“The Health Ministry Training Institute in Sungai Buloh, which has a maximum capacity of 2,400, will also reopen.
“The facility will allow the ministry to place Category 1 and 2 Covid-19 patients.”
Dr Adham also noted the dire situation for patients at the Covid-19 quarantine and low-risk treatment centre at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS).
According to the minister, of the 5,198 beds at the centre, the 154 which are allocated for Category 4 patients have been filled to the brim, with the remaining beds for Category 1, 2 and 3 patients also nearing full capacity.
In view of this, Dr Adham said over 110 health practitioners from Kedah, Perak, Terengganu and several hospitals in the Klang Valley will be temporarily reassigned to MAEPS effective today for a period of between one and six months.
The ministry will also immediately increase oxygen supply at the centre by allocating an additional 1,550 oxygen cylinders.
“The Healthy Ministry hopes with the implementation of these measures, they can increase the preparedness of hospitals to accept and treat Covid-19 patients,” Dr Adham said. – The Vibes, July 8, 2021
