MALAYSIA'S public healthcare system is often lauded for its accessibility and high standards of care, drawing patients from even the most remote corners of the country to its facilities. However, this leads to high demand on its facilities.
Is it true that patients at a hospital in Kota Kinabalu are sleeping along its hallways as suggested in a viral video?
Verdict:
FALSE
The Sabah Health Department says that the people seen sleeping in the corridors and lobbies of Queen Elizabeth Hospital are family members and caregivers of patients from rural areas who were unable to secure temporary accommodation nearby.
The Sabah Health Department said initial checks found that those seen resting or sleeping in public areas were not patients waiting for treatment or appointments.
It said most were accompanying patients to the hospital and faced difficulties securing temporary accommodation outside the facility.
It added that the Queen Elizabeth Hospital has a visitors' hall but the facility is insufficient to accommodate the large number of relatives accompanying patients.
"The hospital understands the difficulties faced by patients' families, especially those travelling from far away," it said in a statement on Monday (June 29).
It said the hospital would continue monitoring the use of public spaces such as lobbies and main walkways to ensure safety, cleanliness, comfort and the smooth movement of patients, visitors and staff.
Addressing concerns over waiting times at the emergency and trauma department, it said patients are treated according to the severity of their conditions through a triage system rather than queue numbers.
It said that on the night in question, the emergency and trauma department operated as usual with a continuous flow of patients.
"A total of 42 patients were recorded at the Green Zone between 9pm and 10am, with two medical officers on duty in the zone," it said.
As part of improvement measures, the hospital will strengthen monitoring of lobbies, public walkways and waiting areas at night.
The hospital will also improve communication with patients and their families regarding waiting times and treatment priorities.
