KUALA LUMPUR – Photos and videos of Covid-19 patients waiting on the floor and porch of Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR) in Klang show that the facility is overwhelmed and desperately in need of more beds and resources.
The RM1.1 million from the federal government for the hospital will not cut it, said Klang MP Charles Santiago.
He took to Twitter yesterday to retweet a viral video showing the situation at HTAR, where patients were left waiting on the floor without beds or food, while doctors are exhausted from working long hours and dealing with overused medical equipment.
Klang GH in dire need of support NOW
— Charles Santiago (@mpklang) July 8, 2021
The government has allocated RM1.1 million in an emergency move to mitigate the overwhelming number of Covid-19 patients at Klang General Hospital.
This initial fund must reach Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah within 24 hours. pic.twitter.com/VyeneIYBNC
And it must be followed by an additional RM 20 million in emergency funding to buy new medical equipment as the current ones are collapsing. #Kerajaangagal must take responsibility for this desperate situation in Klang GH, primarily brought about by a flip-flop in SOPs.
— Charles Santiago (@mpklang) July 8, 2021
“Yes, we know the healthcare system is strained to the point of bursting, but we have seen an increase in infections over months now.
“However, the government and Health Ministry have failed to mitigate the situation effectively,” he said.
Although Health Minister Datuk Dr Adham Baba said that the hospital will be receiving aid worth RM 1.1 million, Santiago said the amount will not be enough as the hospital needs much more funding.
“It’s time to employ all medical graduates and recall contract doctors with permanent employment deals, as well as increase funding.
“An injection of RM1.1 million in funds from the federal government is laughable.”
He said a ventilator costs around RM200,000, and the aid from the ministry will not be enough to provide the help the hospital needs.
“The federal government must pump in RM20 million to enable an upgrade in medical infrastructure including ICU facilities, oxygen tanks, and beds.”
Santiago urged the government to immodestly channel money to the hospital to save lives, instead of implementing stop-gap measures the healthcare system cannot afford at this point in time.
According to the Selangor Health Department, the Klang sub-district has 784 new Covid-19 cases and recorded a total of 5,665 infections in the last 14 days. – The Vibes, July 9, 2021
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