Cuepacs president Adnan Mat said this was the best time for private hospitals to carry out the responsibility of saving the lives of Malaysians and not to push all problem cases that cannot be handled to government hospitals.

“Cuepacs does not want the announcement made by the government to be welcomed by only a small number of private hospital operators. All parties should share their expertise and energy to save the country from the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Adnan, who heads a federation of civil service unions.

He said private hospital operators should issue clear guidelines immediately to the government and the public on their readiness to accept and treat Covid-19 patients.

The government announced earlier today that more than 1,000 beds in private hospitals were being readied for Covid-19 patients and others.

Adnan also commented on a new economic stimulus package announced by the government.

He said the prime minister’s assurance to increase the number of health personnel by more than 3,500 at the end of this month gave some relief to health workers.

However, he said, Cuepacs hoped that more members can be added to help the existing staff, as the 3,500 new staff would only reduce the workload of the health ministry staff.

“The increase in Covid-19 cases every day is so significant that the public health system in our country is almost paralysed … health facilities and workers are no longer able to treat the Covid-19 patients.

“Other patients are not being handled effectively, and even Covid-19 patients who were confirmed positive but were asymptomatic have to undergo self-treatment at home,” he said.

The increase in cases placed additional pressure on health workers many of whom had become too tired and had almost lost the motivation to continue working.

He said Cuepacs found the situation very worrying. The paralysis of the health system could put the safety of the people at greater risk.

Cuepacs hoped the government could expedite the increase in new health workers.

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