GEORGE TOWN – As intensive care units (ICUs) at public hospitals burst at the seams, with beds and equipment fully used, doctors are being forced to “play God” by determining who gets Covid-19 treatment, and who gets turned away.
A doctor on the pandemic front lines, who declined to be named, told The Vibes that some states have had to stop taking in Covid-19 patients aged 75 years and above, depending on the availability of ICU beds.
“We are seeing a trend of 40- to 60-year-old patients admitted to the ICU. Even those who are in their 20s have had to be admitted.
“I believe most people would have a parent or relative aged above 70. Can you imagine if your loved ones are not able to get a bed in an ICU, and are left struggling for air without ICU care?
“This is not an easy decision for every doctor.”
As resources are limited, medical professionals have to select who gets intensive care.
Under the present circumstances, if there are more cases requiring intensive care in the days to come, there will be more deaths, as the healthcare system has been exhausted, warned the doctor.
Yesterday, Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said Malaysia has a total of 734 ICU beds nationwide, with nearly 500 already occupied.
He said the authorities had predicted that ICUs would be inundated with fresh Covid-19 cases that could, in total, require up to 1,700 beds, had the movement control order (MCO), which is in force from today to June 7, not been implemented by next month.
“If we are given two to four weeks, the Health Ministry can prepare our hospitals and ICUs, and obtain more medical equipment such as ventilators. This is why we are doing this: to prepare ourselves, and by avoiding contact, reduce the infection rate,” said Dr Noor Hisham.
Consumers’ Association of Penang president Mohideen Abdul Kader told The Vibes that the government should prevent deaths whenever possible.
“There are private hospitals in the country. If the government can get the proper statistics to see where ICUs and ventilators are available, these can be used as a temporary measure.
“This is a national emergency, something we could not have foreseen. Every resource has to be mobilised.”
He said Putrajaya must be strict in implementing the MCO, as otherwise, there will be no end to the coronavirus threat.
“It is better to have strict controls for a limited time to ensure cases are reduced.
“Between human life and the economy, human life is more important, because this gives life to the economy.”
However, he said, arrangements have to be made to aid those who are jobless.
“You can’t use the economy as an argument for failing to control the pandemic.”
Another urgent requirement is to speed up the vaccination process and be open to alternatives like traditional preventative medicine, he said.
“We should approach China and Russia for vaccines, as they are prepared to supply.
“As for traditional preventive options, Singapore is already allowing that. Why not Malaysia?”
With 4,765 new infections today, Malaysia’s overall caseload has hit 453,222. – The Vibes, May 12, 2021
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