Contingency plan activated to deal with patient surge at Klang hospital

PETALING JAYA: A contingency plan has been activated at the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR) in Klang to deal with the surge in patients, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

The Health Minister said the surge in patients led to congestion at the hospital’s emergency department, pictures of which went viral on social media.

“The HTAR emergency department has experienced a significant increase in patient arrivals over the past two to three days.

“Although preparedness was at a good level before the festive period and there was no spike in arrivals since Hari Raya, I am fully aware that the number of patients surged over the past few days,” he said on X late Thursday (April 17).

Dzulkefly added that HTAR mobilised a surge capacity plan it prepared for the festive period.

“HTAR experiences an average stay of five to six days, compared with other Health Ministry hospitals of two to three days. This is because many patients (at HTAR) are elderly,” he said.

Dzulkefly added that HTAR director Dr Selvamalar Selvarajan and other doctors, who are also special officers from the ministry’s office, are currently placed at the emergency department, with several immediate measures being implemented.

This includes moving discharged patients waiting for family members to a designated area to free up beds.

Additional beds have also been placed in specific zones while waiting for ward placement and extra staff members has been mobilised.

“I am fully aware of the inconvenience caused and deeply appreciate the patience and cooperation of patients and their families,” he said.