BM Hospital to move makeshift ‘ward’ away from drain

 

The patients at the mercy of the rain, the wind and the rising waters at the makeshift ward beside a drain.

GEORGE TOWN: The Bukit Mertajam Hospital will move a makeshift, outdoor Covid-19 ward elsewhere after videos showing patients receiving treatment next to an overflowing monsoon drain drew shock and outrage online.

In a statement, the Penang health department said the makeshift ward was initially intended for Covid-19 assessment but was later used to treat people as the number of patients rose.

It said it was diverting Covid-19 patients to other hospitals and quarantine centres in the meantime.

“Plans are underway to transfer the zone to a more comfortable area, including steps to improve the safety and comfort of patients there,” the statement read.

It is learnt that following a downpour yesterday, water started gushing from the drain next to what appeared to be a covered walkway put up for those with breathing difficulties to get their oxygen supply.

There is only a corrugated roof over the walkway, leaving those there at the mercy of the wind, the rain and the rising waters.

Bukit Mertajam, the key town in the Seberang Perai Central district, has recorded the highest number of Covid-19 cases in Penang for the past few weeks, pushing the state’s total to four-digit figures.

The Bukit Mertajam Hospital is one of the two primary Covid-19 centres in the district, with the Seberang Jaya Hospital being the other.

Late last month, the hospital was made a hybrid Covid-19 hospital, with 120 of its 242 beds set aside for the purpose. - FMT