KOTA KINABALU: Anesthesiology and critical care services at Lahad Datu Hospital have been disrupted following the departure of several medical officers this month.
According to a letter from the hospital sent to the Health Ministry to explain about the shortage, two of their medical officials will pursue master’s degrees, another two transferred to the Selangor Health Department, while one medical officer resigned.
This shortage would increase the risk of suspension of services, the hospital said, as only four medical officials are left to attend to the six intensive care unit (ICU) beds, mechanical and non-invasive ventilation services at ICU wards, operation theatres (one 24-hour emergency theatre and two for elective surgeries), acute pain services and anesthesiology.
All these services need at least 11 officers for the smooth running of operations, it explained.
As such, drastic measures have been put in place starting June 1.
Among others, elective surgeries will be reduced from two rooms to one.
Starting tomorrow, only semi- elective surgeries are to be performed to focus on emergency cases, and ICU beds to be reduced from six to three.
In response, the Sabah Health Department yesterday issued a statement stating that several proactive measures have been identified and would be implemented immediately.
The statement said that there would be a transfer of medical officers from cluster hospitals such as Kota Kinabalu and Tawau to the Lahad Datu Hospital.
This is to ensure that the clinical and major services at the Lahad Datu Hospital would not be affected.
“The capacity of services will be strengthened with the placement of three permanent medical officers and two temporary officers there.
“All are expected to report for duty in July,” the statement read.
The department would also focus on sending contract medical officials to facilities that lack critical manpower and control the transfer of officials out of the hospital to ensure enough manpower.
State Women, Health and Wellbeing Minister Datuk Julita Majungki said the manpower problems faced by the Lahad Datu Hospital must be given priority so that services and daily operations at the facility can go on smoothly.
“What is important at this point in time is to ensure minimal disruption to the services of the Lahad Datu Hospital, more so in terms of critical and emergency treatment and care.
“I am told that the Sabah Health Department has put up immediate measures to address this matter,” Julita said when contacted, adding she understood the concerns of the people over the situation.
