PETALING JAYA: Using health clinics for inpatient treatment will help take the pressure off government hospitals, say experts.
Public health expert Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh lauded the move to use health clinics as cottage hospitals by equipping them with inpatient beds.
She said health clinics could focus on screening and prevention aspects, with hospitals to manage early treatment.
She suggested that population risk and density factors be considered when selecting clinics to be used as cottage hospitals.
“However, bed occupancy rates could be low and there will be extra costs to be incurred for electricity, water and possibly security services bills,” said Dr Sharifa Ezat, who is also dean of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s School of Liberal Studies.
She said using the concept of cottage industries for health clinics could play a crucial role in curbing complicated diseases, with cardiovascular event screenings also made possible.
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“However, these institutions may not be able to prescribe certain drugs as they may only be prescribed by specialists,” she pointed out.
Public health expert Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar gave his backing to the initiative.
“Yes, it can help reduce the burden in hospitals. It can also bring about easier and faster access to aid, which is ideal for non-complicated cases. It is a good idea and definitely doable,” he said.
He recalled that similar facilities existed in the country before.
“The Health Ministry had several such facilities up until the late 1980s and early 90s in remote areas of the peninsula, and Sabah and Sarawak.
“There was the hospital desa in Kuala Berang, Terengganu, and in Changkat Melintang, Perak, as well as in Pulau Tioman.
“There were also alternative birthing centres in Negri Sembilan and Terengganu, special klinik kesihatan in Sabah and Sarawak, and pos kesihatan for the Orang Asli in Pahang, Kelantan and Perak,” he added.
The issue of seeking medical aid amid emergencies in rural areas has been constantly raised over the years.
In Parliament last year, an MP recounted how two of his constituents died after they failed to get immediate medical treatment.
“One was a child who fell into a river and could not get quick medical aid. Another was bitten by a snake. Both died because they could not get medical help in time,” lamented Tenom MP Riduan Rubin.
