KUALA LUMPUR – The Health Ministry has revised its policy on caretakers and visitors to its hospitals, as an effort to reduce Covid-19 infection risks.
In a statement, the ministry said only selected categories of patients can be accompanied by caretakers or visitors.
They are:
– Patients with critical illnesses;
– Patients who require palliative care;
– Terminally ill patients;
– Patients with disabilities;
– Elderly patients;
– Patients in need of communication assistance;
– Paediatric patients; and
– Patients undergoing the process of childbirth.
Visitors or caretakers who are allowed to visit or care for the patients must be:
– Aged 18 and above;
– Fully vaccinated;
– Do not belong to a high-risk group for Covid-19 infections (for example, the elderly, or those with various comorbidities or a weak immune system);
– Not suspected of being infected by Covid-19, nor individuals under monitoring;
– Have no Covid-19 symptoms; and
– Fill in the Covid-19 declaration form, comply with standard operating procedures, and wear personal protective equipment, as prescribed.
As for caretakers, they must undergo a Covid-19 screening test – reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or Rapid Test Kit-Antigen (RTK Antigen) – within 72 hours prior to entering the hospital, and must be confirmed negative.
Individuals who wish to accompany expectant mothers during the process must undergo a Covid-19 screening test, which is RT-PCR or RTK Antigen (within 72 hours prior to entering the hospital), or RTK Saliva Antigen (upon arrival at the hospital), and must be confirmed negative.
As for those receiving outpatient treatment or at the Emergency Department, only one caretaker is allowed. If a patient is admitted to a non-Covid-19 ward, a caretaker is allowed to accompany the patient and one visitor is allowed during visiting sessions.
This is limited to the categories of patients described above. Covid-19 tests using RTK-AG Saliva are recommended prior to visiting.
For non-Covid-19 patients who are dying (end of life) and are situated in the ward, family visits are allowed. However, it is only limited to two people at a time, and will depend on the situation.
No visitors are allowed for Covid-19 patients, except for end-of-life patients in the ward or intensive care unit where only one visitor is allowed at a time.
For the purpose of accompanying Covid-19 patients in wards, only one caretaker is allowed. This is limited to paediatric patients or patients in need of specialised care assistance.
However, in situations where the Covid-19 transmission risk is high, such as the occurrence of a Covid-19 outbreak in the hospital, the hospital administration may make modifications to the existing policy. – The Vibes, November 26, 2021
