KUALA LUMPUR: Private hospital beds in Klang Valley have reached full occupancy as their capacity and capabilities are stretched to assist the public healthcare sector.
The Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) president Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh said private hospitals were extensively carrying out Covid-19 testing, participating in vaccination at mega vaccination centres (PPVs), treating Covid-19 patients and attending to non-Covid patients through the decanting exercise.
"We are shouldering more than what we can now. Since January (2021), private hospitals have expanded their capacity and capabilities to cater for Covid-19 patients.
"Previously, we had to wait for the Health Ministry to issue licences before converting Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds to Covid-19 beds. But now, we open up the free beds to admit the patients first and notify the ministry later.
"Private hospitals are also preparing to accept more non-Covid patients from the government as it is more practical to do so.
"Few private hospitals have started this process since last week and more hospitals will follow suit in the next few days.
"However, private hospitals are also impeded with some challenges. Firstly, we do not have additional manpower like public hospitals which employ housemen and medical officers (MO).
"Many people think private hospitals can simply add beds like hotels and take in Covid-19 patients. It is not that easy.
"Category 4 and 5 patients who are hospitalised require intensive care and around-the-clock monitoring. Private hospitals are short of staff to provide a dedicated support team for a large number of patients.
"Secondly, private hospitals are relatively smaller than public hospitals and not all private hospitals are designed to treat infectious diseases.
"Thirdly, patients seeking our services are paying us and we are liable to them. So, we cannot simply re-purpose spaces within our vicinity to house as many patients as possible," he told the New Straits Times.
Nevertheless, Dr Kuljit assured that private hospitals were willing to mobilise their remaining resources if the government opened up more facilities to accommodate Covid-19 patients.
However, he stressed that the current priority should be to axe the number of new infections rather than creating more spaces to house the infected individuals.
"The government must pursue targeted vaccination for vulnerable groups, such as those who cannot work from home.
"APHM is in constant discussion with the ministry and we are happy to help wherever possible," he added.