THE waiting area of Hospital Sibu’s emergency ward is being fitted with mesh and windows while five ceiling fans are being installed.
With these additional fittings, patients and their families will no longer have to be exposed to direct sunlight or heavy rain.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the hospital had converted the ambulance parking space into a waiting area with simple facilities.
However, this area lacked comfort.
Hospital Sibu visitors’ board chairman Michael Lee said its members wanted a wall to be constructed around the area.
“This waiting area is exposed, especially to afternoon sunlight.
“It is also affected when it rains heavily or when it is windy,” he noted.
One-metre cement walls have since been built on both sides of the area.
For ventilation, there are aluminium shutters between the roof and walls.
The same type of wall has also been built at the back of the area.
A passageway in the middle allows ambulance workers to transport patients directly from the driveway to the emergency ward.
The project cost RM25,000 while the installation fee of five fans and electrical wires was about RM1,500.
“There is also a spotlight in the waiting area to ensure the safety of the public and medical staff, and to increase lighting at night.
Emergency lights, spotlights and a wall-mounted fan have been installed in the maternity ward too.
Lee said the board could only improve the hospital’s facilities within its capabilities.
“The money comes from the government’s development funds and public donations, but these are still insufficient.
“Kind-hearted donors can contact me at 013-811 1555,” he said.
He explained that government funds were usually used for maintenance and buying new medical equipment, and were often not enough to improve other hospital facilities.
