Clinics can ease Sungai Petani hospital's patient load, says MP

KUALA LUMPUR: Hospital Sultan Abdul Halim (HSAH) in Sungai Petani, Kedah, is operating at almost full capacity after a surge in patients, says Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari.

The Sungai Petani MP said the latest data shows HSAH, which has a capacity of 702 beds, is currently operating at a bed operational rate (BOR) of 90%.

"This alarming figure demands our immediate attention. Annually, HSAH serves an astounding 230,588 patients with a dedicated team of 927 nurses and 227 doctors," he said in a statement on Wednesday (13 Sept).

Mohammed Taufiqhe said by providing nearby clinics with the necessary human resources, facilities, accessibility and quality of primary care, the pressure on HSAH can be reduced.

To alleviate the strain on HSAH, he proposed that certain government clinics extend their operating hours to provide 24-hour healthcare services.

"We need to embark on an extensive awareness campaign to educate our community about the advantages of primary healthcare services available at clinics.

When our constituents understand that clinics can deliver high-quality healthcare, often surpassing what a hospital offers, they will naturally gravitate toward these facilities, thus reducing the overload at HSAH," he added.

Mohammed Taufiqhe said the proposed solutions will address the overload at HSAH and ensure that patients receive timely, efficient, and high-quality healthcare services within the local communities in Sungai Petani.