Health Ministry sets up 213 Covid-19 assessment centres to help patients undergoing home treatment

PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry has established 213 Covid-19 Assessment Centres (CAC) nationwide that will help manage Covid-19 patients who are undergoing home treatment.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said the CAC will classify patient levels, including determining whether they are allowed to be treated at their homes.

“Generally, a district has at least one CAC. Some may have two or more CACs depending on the number of patients being managed.

“The CAC will identify patients who are suited to be monitored at home.

“CAC staff will then monitor and evaluate the progress of the patients at their homes using the Home Assessment Tool (HAT).

“Patients who are not suitable for home treatment and monitoring, are to be referred to the ministry’s Covid-19 Quarantine and Treatment Centre (PKRC) and hospitals, ” said Dr Adham in a statement Friday (Jan 22).

The CAC, said Dr Adham, will function to coordinate referrals from health clinics to PKRC or to hospitals.

“Each CAC at district level is headed by a coordinator. People with needs can just contact the CAC through the telephone numbers provided by their respective district health office (PKD), ” he said.

Out of the 213 CACs established, 40 of them are in Sarawak, 30 in Penang, Sabah (25), Selangor (19), Kelantan (14), Terengganu (13); 11 each in Perlis, Kedah, Perak, Pahang; 10 in Johor; seven in Negri Sembilan; five each in Melaka, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya; and no centres in Labuan.

“With these measures, the Health Ministry calls on everyone to work together to fight the spread of Covid-19 in an integrated manner.

“Through various channels, the ministry will keep patients informed on the next steps that must be followed and practised throughout the treatment period at home, ” he said.