KUALA LUMPUR – The medical staff shortage at Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR) in Klang has never been more pronounced than it is today, as the facility continues to struggle to cope with the sheer number of Covid-19 patients.
The district has seen a surge in infections, with a record 1,295 cases on Thursday alone.
Klang MP Charles Santiago told The Vibes that while the prior issue of insufficient medical equipment and supplies, like beds and oxygen tanks, has seen a slight improvement thanks to private donations, the need for more health personnel has intensified.
Apart from the increasing number of patients, the hospital is also struggling with the resignation of contract medical workers due to burnout and uncertainty over their future.
Santiago said he has been informed that HTAR’s main concern is the lack of personnel to attend to patients.
This is despite private entity donations easing some problems, in terms of equipment, earlier this month.
“We have brought in more oxygen tanks and converted more beds for patients, mostly from private donors. But while the beds are there, the number of patients are also increasing. Most of them are in Categories 3, 4 and 5,” said Santiago.
“So, the problem now is that there are not enough medical personnel. There is no point having ventilators and beds if there are no personnel to assist.”
He said he understands that junior HTAR staff are made to “run the show”, with senior management members in charge of the emergency department “washing their hands” of the matter.
“I know they are moving people around to help the hospital, but you need specialised individuals to be in the emergency department.”
Considering the current situation, it is necessary for medical officers from other states to be temporarily transferred to assist hospitals in the Klang Valley, which are under tremendous strain, he added.
Santiago had on July 7 urged the Health Ministry to immediately intervene, when dozens of Covid-19 patients were forced to be admitted on stretchers outside HTAR’s emergency department due to insufficient space and beds.
The following day, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba announced that an additional 60 beds and medical equipment worth RM1.1 million will be sent to the hospital, and a field hospital to be built in its compound.
Hartal Doktor Kontrak, a group lobbying for better treatment of contract doctors, had on Thursday tweeted a resignation notice of yet another HTAR medical staff member.
Malaysiakini also reported that at least 15 doctors at a public hospital in the Klang Valley resigned in the past two weeks.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had yesterday announced the provision of career opportunities for contract doctors, on par with their permanent colleagues, just days ahead of a planned strike on Monday.
He said, among others, the cabinet has agreed that all temp medical officers, dentists and pharmacists be offered a two-year contract after concluding their mandatory service, to ensure continuity of service and as preparation for them to attain specialisation. – The Vibes, July 24, 2021
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