Waiting patiently: Visitors queueing to get a pass to enter the hospital.
PETALING JAYA: A contingency plan has been activated to address overcrowding at the emergency department of Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah (HTAR) in Klang, following viral images showing patients on IV drips and in wheelchairs waiting in various parts of the hospital.
The congestion was due to a sudden surge in patient numbers over the past two to three days.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad acknowledged the situation, noting that the hospital had already made preparations ahead of the festive season.
(Inset) Dzulkefly says the hospital director and officers from the ministry are working to manage the situation. — KK SHAM/The Star“In the past two to three days, the HTAR emergency department has seen a significant rise in patient arrivals,” he said in a Facebook post.
Dzulkefly added that HTAR had activated a surge capacity plan that was put in place specifically for the festive period.
“The average length of stay of patients at HTAR wards is about five to six days, compared to two to three days at most other Health Ministry hospitals. This is largely because many of HTAR’s patients are elderly,” he explained.
He also said HTAR director Dr Selvamalar Selvarajan, along with special officers from the ministry, are currently stationed at the emergency department and working to manage the situation.
Among the immediate measures taken are relocating discharged patients waiting for pick-up to designated areas to free up beds, placing additional beds in specific zones while awaiting ward admission, and deploying extra staff.
“I am fully aware of the inconvenience this has caused and sincerely appreciate the patience and cooperation shown by patients and their families,” said Dzulkefly.
