Growing ageing population and increase in NCD cases reason for bed shortage


KLANG: A growing ageing population as well as an increase in the number of non-communicable cases have resulted in a serious shortage of beds in almost all public hospitals.

Klang Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah (HTAR) director Dr Zulkarnain Mohd Rawi said this was a serious ongoing problem plaguing public hospitals and the government must do something immediately to improve the situation.

With the ageing community also rapidly increasing, admission is also common for elderly patients with many geriatric-related illnesses coupled with the usual non-communicable diseases.

“Cases of chronic diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease are on the increase. These patients need specialist intervention and hence have to be admitted, as there is no way they can manage their condition on their own or by merely going to government clinics,’’ said Dr Zulkarnain.

ALSO READ: Lock in a future health plan

He added the number of beds in hospitals cannot meet the need for new admissions, and hospitals have to find ways to accommodate those who are sick and in need of urgent care.

“Like in HTAR, we have a system where our doctors go on discharge rounds of all the wards in the morning to seek out patients who can be sent home.

“Once these patients are identified, they are discharged and sent to the discharge lounge, where they can relax until someone picks them up or can call a taxi or Grab to go home,’’ he added.

As soon as a patient is discharged, according Dr Zulkarnain, hospital staff members are given an hour to process the discharge documents and prepare for the next admission.

ALSO READ: Cost savings of RM9mil from early delivery of building

According to Dr Zulkarnain, the number of beds gazetted for HTAR is 1,261; but to function more effectively, the hospital needs more than 500 additional beds.

“So, the best solution would be for the government to build additional buildings and open up new wards.

“This is not a problem for HTAR, as we still have a lot of land that belongs to the hospital,” said Dr Zulkarnain.

Selangor resident Brenda Chia said the lack of beds is a very urgent issue, as sometimes procedures have to be postponed and patients discharged too early because of it.

“My mother’s surgery had to be postponed because there were insufficient beds at the public hospital where she goes for treatment,’’ said Chia.

She said her mother, who is in her mid-80s, had to come home and have the surgery at a later date.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Nation

PM Anwar urges educational institutions to leverage exhibition on Malay-Islamic history
Floods: Condition improves in Perak, Johor, Terengganu but numbers rise in Pahang
Those who question the Titah Addendum issue, lack knowledge, says PM
Batu Puteh RCI: AG, as an independent body has power to initiate investigations, says Azalina
Landslide on Lekas Highway: Emergency lane, slow lane closed at KM9.3 northbound
Contractors slacking in Jendela Tower projects given Dec 31 deadline
Malbatt 850-11 battalion commander shares challenges during 'Northern Arrow' crisis in Lebanon
Sabah road users urge safety prioritisation on Pan Borneo Highway project
Mohamad Hasan meets Saudi Arabia's Hajj And Umrah Minister
Number of flood victims in Perak rises as situations improve in Terengganu, Pahang

Others Also Read