KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has set up a total of 213 Covid-19 Assessment Centres (CAC) nationwide to conduct assessments of Covid-19 patients undergoing treatment at their respective homes.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said the CAC would categorise patients by severity to determine subsequent patient management, including if the patient could be given approval for home treatment.
To ensure compliance to the standard operating procedures set, he said CAC staff would keep a close watch on patients permitted for home treatment.
"In general, each district would have a CAC, and there is a possibility of two or more CACs depending on the number of patients managed.
"The CAC will play a role in identifying suitable patients to be monitored at home. CAC staff will then monitor and assess patients at home using the Home Assessment Tool (HAT)," he said in a statement today.
He said this amid an escalating number of Covid-19 cases in the country. The CACs have been established in a move to free up public hospital capacity for escalating Covid-19 admissions.
Dr Adham said of the total number of CACs established, 40 have been set up in Sarawak; 30 in Penang; 25 in Sabah; 19 in Selangor; 14 in Kelantan; 13 in Terengganu; 11 in Perlis, Kedah, Perak, Pahang; 10 in Johor; seven in Negri Sembilan; five each in Melaka, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya; as well as one centre in Labuan.
He further said the respective CAC team would also act to identify and evaluate patients whose conditions were likely to worsen.
"CAC will identify patients who need a referral to the Covid-19 Quarantine and Treatment Center (PKRC) or hospital, which are Category One and Two patients who are deemed not suitable to be placed and monitored from home.
"The CAC also serves to coordinate referrals from health clinics to Low Risk Treatment Centres (PKRC) or hospitals.
"Each of the CAC at the district level would be headed by a coordinator. Members of the public can contact the CAC through the telephone number that will be specified by the respective District Health Office.
"The ministry, through various levels and channels will inform the next steps that must be followed and practiced by patients throughout the treatment period at home."
With these measures in place, the Health Ministry calls on the community to work together to fight the spread of Covid-19, in an integrated manner, he added. - NST
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