KUALA LUMPUR – Klang MP Charles Santiago said that two of his constituents were not able to get ambulances to receive Covid-19 treatment at Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR).
The lawmaker added that this was a sign that the healthcare system in the Klang Valley has “crumbled”.
“There was this woman whose husband passed away on July 11, and yesterday she was coughing and struggling to breathe.
“Every time she called HTAR for an ambulance, they said she had to find her own way,” Santiago told The Vibes.
The Klang MP also said another resident in his constituency waited 48 hours for an ambulance, passing away at home yesterday at 3pm.
By the time doctors and other medical personnel arrived at the deceased’s house, the body was only cleared from the house at 8pm.
Santiago pointed out that this issue is caused by the hospital’s lack of ambulances, adding that taxi or e-hailing services would refrain from carrying Covid-19 patients.
At HTAR alone, he said, the problems go beyond the lack of ambulances, as patients are required to wait in long queues, and mortuaries are filling up.
“The system has crumbled,” Santiago added.
He added that everyday citizens are now taking charge to remedy these issues, despite it being the responsibility of the federal government.
“Many NGOs and business associations are buying equipment for hospitals, but this is something the government should do.
“The federal government is behaving as if they don’t have money.
“I asked RM20 million for HTAR, but they gave only RM1.1 million,” Santiago added. - The Vibes, July 17, 2021
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