PETALING JAYA: The Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) has stated that private hospitals are not experiencing a surge in patients with Influenza, despite a slightly higher admission rate in July. APHM President Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh disputed a media report that suggested otherwise. According to Dr Kuljit, most private hospitals in the peninsular, Sabah, and Sarawak have seen an increase in admissions for influenza A, but it has not been significant enough to impact admissions for other conditions. Dr Kuljit also highlighted the growing demand for personalised and private care, which he attributed to the prolonged periods of lockdown and restricted movement.
While Dr Kuljit emphasized that this increased demand is unrelated to Covid-19, he reiterated the need for more personnel in private hospitals, particularly nurses, to increase bed capacity. He expressed disappointment in the government’s failure to recruit private foreign nurses despite multiple appeals. Dr Kuljit assured that private hospitals are adequately prepared to manage newer strains of Covid-19, should an outbreak occur. He urged the public to take preventive measures against respiratory tract infections, including wearing masks, sanitising hands, and avoiding close contact.
The APHM President also stressed the importance of early treatment for high-risk populations and assured that private hospitals have sufficient medication and space for this purpose. Dr Kuljit expressed concern about infectious diseases, as they can lead to increased healthcare costs and income loss for the population. While the current situation in private hospitals is not alarming, he emphasized the significance of preventative measures to curb the spread of infectious diseases.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
