Penang hospital’s hasty Covid-19 ward conversion causes headaches

GEORGE TOWN – Penang General Hospital’s outpatient department (OPD) has been converted into a Covid-19 ward, but it is equipped with substandard beds and oxygen cylinders, a source told The Vibes.

To make matters worse, several contract doctors have recently resigned because of an overwhelming workload and administrative decisions.

“The OPD is not a suitable place (to build a ward) as it is not designed to be a ward.

“So, installing certain facilities will be a problem,” said the source, adding that the department lacks sufficient toilets and hot showers.

“More than 8,000 patients, including chronic cases, visit the OPD in a month, with only 10 doctors on duty. These patients are from George Town and all three mainland districts.

“Now, the OPD is moved to the education resources room, with only two doctors on duty.”

The source said the Health Ministry should have identified other buildings nearby – like the abandoned maternity ward, which is more spacious.

A hospital employee said the new ward has caused problems for patients, who are unaware of the conversion and changes in location at the facility.

“When they (patients) come in, you need to brief them of the changes and redirect them to the health clinic to seek treatment. This is troublesome for patients.

“They (the ministry) could have looked for other venues and not taken over the OPD so abruptly.”

The hospital administration had on August 3 announced its decision to shut its OPD and convert it into a Covid-19 ward to handle the surge in coronavirus cases.

A circular said the north-east district Health Department has agreed to accept and handle outpatient treatment and distribute medicine via the department and hospital’s pharmacy.

It is learnt that the OPD will be shut until further notice, or when the number of Covid-19 cases is brought down to a low level.

However, the OPD information counter and triage will function as usual, the circular added.

Walk-in patients will be referred to the emergency ward triage, while diabetes and hypertension patients will be handled by a kiosk on Level 1 of the Education Resources Centre, where a hotline has been set up to handle appointments, and where reference letters will be issued.

Blood tests will be conducted as usual by the relevant departments. – The Vibes, August 9, 2021