Its director, Dr Heric Corray, however said the hospital will not turn away Covid-19 patients seeking treatment.
“HKL receives cases of critical patients referred from the MAEPS (Malaysia Agro Exposition Park) quarantine centre.
“Based on media reports that said there are not enough ICU beds, we would like to inform the public that we always make proper plans to use equipment such as beds and oxygen, and that our suppliers will provide us as needed.
“For critical patients, HKL will transfer them to Hospital Rehabilitasi Cheras and Institut Perubatan Respiratori if their situation improves,” he said in a statement today.
Doctors at HKL had taken to social media yesterday to highlight the critical conditions at the hospital.
One doctor said HKL’s emergency department had insufficient beds, even canvas ones, to accommodate the influx of patients.
He added all of the hospital’s eight wards were full and there were not enough ventilators to go around, adding that some medical officers had to “play God” by deciding who should be given ventilators first.
Another doctor said one procedure had to be carried out on the floor to save a patient who had difficulty breathing, adding that it was a depressing scenario.
To that, Corray said the procedure involved a patient who had a seizure, and doctors had to put him on the floor in an attempt to prevent saliva from entering his airway.
“The patient, referred to HKL’s accident and emergency department, was laid down on the floor because the patient suddenly lost consciousness.
“At that time, all beds were occupied and the only way to perform CPR (cardio-respiratory resuscitation) immediately was on the floor,” he explained, adding that the patient did not survive in the end.
On the issue of insufficient beds, Corray said the occupancy rate was high due to Covid-19.
“The use of beds is being reviewed from time to time.
“We have deferred elective surgeries since December so we can prioritise those in need,” he added.
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