KUALA LUMPUR: The Selangor Health Department is looking to increase category 3 patient beds at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park in Serdang (Maeps) Covid-19 quarantine and low-risk treatment centre (PKRC) to 1,000 to support the health care system in the Klang Valley.
In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the department said currently there was a total 757 category 3 Covid-19 patients at Maeps PKRC.
"The situation at Maeps PKRC 2.0 is getting more challenging with the admission of more category 3 Covid-19 patients.
"Maeps PKRC only had 60 beds for category 3 patients in early January, but is currently accommodates 757 and plans to increase this capacity to 1,000 beds (category 3) to support the health system in the Klang Valley in line with the current Covid-19 situation."
The department explained that category 3 patients are currently being placed at halls near the temporary intensive care units for thorough monitoring.
"While category 1 and 2 patients who are stable are being placed at the DG Hall, the PKRC management is trying its best to separate Malaysians and non-citizens in the hall.
The department added that it welcomed feedback and complaints regarding the admission process and will improve them from time to time.
Earlier, a Twitter user, @Syedmohamedarif had shared his "horrible" experience at the Maeps quarantine centre in a series of tweets.
He shared that he had waited for almost nine hours at the Covid Assessment Centre (CAC) at Stadium Melawati, from 8.30pm to 5.30pm, before he was informed that he needed to go to Maeps instead.
He said he had to wait for another two-hours at the quarantine centre to get his tag, adding that he was lining up with foreigners.
"We were lining up with foreigners just to get our tags, bear in mind some of my fellow Malaysians had not eaten since 8.30am. This picture was near maghrib time at 7.00pm.
"Most of us sent here are asymptomatic Covid-19 patients. But after going through the process at the CAC and coming here, we began do develop symptoms such as cough, I myself started to cough."
He also complained about the living condition at the PKRC, such as not having bed covers, blankets and pillows.
"I asked one of the doctors/nurses why I haven't gotten anything yet and they just simply said they have ordered and they're on their way.
"There was just a bidet to be used near the toilet bowl. Voila! This is the shower guys! All in all, someone could develop mental health problems here. Not only because of the toilet but the environment."
"No supervision, no proper ventilation, I think the government should really think about providing these basic necessities.
"There shouldn't be an excuse of no money because if you do not have money, just have to find a way, take up a loan, use your reserves and do what you're supposed to do. It's for the people at the end of the day.
"The people here are the future of the country, you have to invest the future, the people. I am definitely stressed here, mentally, physically; it's almost torturing me deep inside.
"At the end of the day, it's not about how demanding I am. It's about the basic things that people need to get if they're sick and to be treated. We're Covid-19 patients after all aren't we?"