KLANG: Anxious patients and weary medical personnel at Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah (HTAR) were pleasantly surprised when Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba paid an unscheduled visit to the beleaguered institution.
“He immediately made some calls to obtain the items that were needed at the hospital and spoke to doctors and patients to learn about the challenges they faced,’’ said Klang MP Charles Santiago who accompanied Dr Adham.
Dr Adham spent about two hours to see for himself the conditions at the hospital.
Santiago had written to Health Minister asking him for federal funds to upgrade the facility with equipment and infrastructure to meet the needs of thousands of Covid-19 patients flooding the hospital.
“I had also raised the matter in Parliament and Dr Adham reminded me of the surprise visit when I met him at Parliament on Thursday.
“I hope the hospital will now receive whatever is needed,’’ said Santiago.
HTAR director Dr Zulkarnain Mohd Rawi said the minister had settled many of the problems faced by the hospital due to the high number of Covid-19 cases.
“During his visit, he approved beds, infrastructure and equipment on the spot and we are very thankful,” said Dr Zulkarnian.
He added that he had also accompanied Dr Adham to the UKM Specialist Children’s Hospital at Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras, after the latter’s impromptu visit to HTAR.
“Arrangements have been made to send stage 3, 4 and 5 patients there for treatment to ease the congestion here,” said Dr Zulkarnain.
He said the visit to the facility in Cheras ended at about 11pm on Thursday.
“They can take up to 200 patients there,” he added.
Dr Zulkarnian said he had also informed Dr Adham that Mercy Malaysia will be sponsoring the setting-up of a field hospital at the carpark next to HTAR’s emergency department to make space for more patients.
Due to the shortage of space, makeshift beds had been placed outside the department for patients.
Those who don’t get these have to sleep on benches and the floor until a bed is found for them.
