The previous field hospitals at Padang Perdana in Kelantan, Kapit in Sarawak and the 100-bed field hospital in Tawau during the spike in Covid-19 cases in Sabah all had regular hospital beds.

However, the one set up in Kepala Batas is special as it is purely an intensive care unit (ICU) with 27 beds, second medical battalion commanding officer Lt-Col Dr Mohd Zamri Deraman said.

Zamri said the field hospital would most likely start operating on Friday, although not much had been announced earlier because of the time needed to iron out technicalities.

He said dry runs had been carried out at the field hospital retrofitted from wards meant for triage, dental and other special medical purposes for the past few days. These dry runs, he told FMT, were important to ensure preparedness.

They included the swapping of oxygen canisters when supplies ran low, bringing in food, collection of swabs and specimens, and rolling out those who had passed away.

Zamri said other simulations that took place included power loss and loss of air- conditioning. Army personnel also acted as patients on the beds, which are divided between the main tent with 15 beds and smaller modules of four that can fit 12 beds.

“We will not open until we iron out all potential hazards. We are confident that we can open by Friday. Safety is our top priority,” the public health specialist said.

He said the Hospital Kepala Batas grounds was chosen as the site as it had sufficient space. The main hospital building would be turned into a purely Covid-19 hospital.

Zamri said the 27 beds in the field hospital will complement the 10 at the main hospital which are currently full.

The field hospital was completed in just a week by five officers and 34 personnel from the army medical corps. Two army anesthesiologists will support the health ministry doctors once it is opened.

The hospital was built with the advice of the Second Medical Battalion based in Kluang, Johor.