KUALA LUMPUR: The Healthy Ministry is working out the logistics of distributing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to hospitals and clinics throughout Malaysia.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, commenting on previous reports that there was a shortage of PPEs in medical facilities, said the issue has since been resolved.
“We have more 50,000 masks and PPE donated to us as well as half a million masks coming in from China. So, there’s a lot of donations coming in.
"The issue now is to work on the logistics of distributing these supplies to hospitals, especially those in Sabah and Sarawak,” he told a press conference here today.
Dr Noor Hisham said that some hospitals lacked facial shields while others need more masks. He added that the ministry hoped to settle the problem within this week.
On concerns whether the public could still receive outpatient treatment or attend their doctor’s appointments at hospitals, Dr Noor Hisham assured that all services remain fully operational.
However, he noted that in cases such as surgery, these could be diverted to other hospitals.
“The Sungai Buloh Hospital is now being used to treat and manage Covid-19 patients only. So all the other patients are being referred to other hospitals.
"By doing this, we can increase the capacity of the hospital to receive and treat the increasing number of (Covid-19) patients,” he said.
The Sungai Buloh Hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) has 44 beds. It will soon increase the number of beds by accommodating those from Coronary Care Unit (CCU), bringing the total to 112 beds.
Since the implementation of Movement Control Order (MCO), the Health Ministry has been conducting active tracing especially in hotspot areas. By doing this, more patients can be tested, isolated and treated.
“This is a crucial two weeks for us to flatten the curve. We need to come together and make sure we play our role well. Social discipline among us is important.
"Stay at home, practice social distancing and wash your hands regularly,” said Dr Noor Hisham.