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Health Ministry to consider Kelantan, Negri Sembilan's request for field ICU [NSTTV]

KEPALA BATAS: The Health Ministry has received numerous requests, including from Kelantan and Negri Sembilan, for the setting up of a field intensive care unit (ICU) to treat critical patients following the surge in Covid-19 cases nationwide.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, however, said they were still looking at the necessity besides surveying suitable locations before considering the requests.

He said the ministry expected cases to keep increasing in the next week or two.

"We received many requests for the setting up of field ICUs, including in Kapit, Sarawak, Kepala Batas Hospital, Pulau Pinang as well as from Kelantan and Negri Sembilan.

"However, an increase in beds is not the solution. What is important is that the people continue to help the ministry by practising self lockdown to reduce the infection rate.

"I believe that if each and every one of us adopts the move, this can contribute to a reduction in cases," he said after a visit to the field ICU at the Kepala Batas Hospital here today.

It is learnt that, until now, the armed forces have set up field ICUs in Tawau, Sabah; Kapit, Sarawak; Pokok Sena, Kedah and the latest one here.

Dr Noor Hisham said, at present, the ministry was still facing issues of shortage, especially in terms of medical workers.

"As such, we are opening up the opportunity to the private sector or even non-governmental organisations to help in whatever way possible," he added.

On the field ICU at the Kepala Batas Hospital here, Dr Noor Hisham said they were thankful to the armed forces for their assistance to the ministry.

"We have been told that there are now 24 beds, of which 12 are in the ICU ward, equipped with ventilators, and another 12 beds to treat stage four Covid-19 patients," he said.

Asked on reports that some hospitals do not receive critical patients with little chance of survival, Dr Noor Hisham said their priority was to treat those who could be saved.

"This has been implemented for a long time now, whereby upon receiving diagnosis results, we will treat patients with high chances of survivability (merawat pesakit yang mempunyai harapan untuk sembuh)," he added.

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