DG fears health system may collapse amid heavy traffic out of Klang Valley

 

Health Ministry director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah today pleaded with the public to save the health system which he said is facing paralysis.

He said this in response to reports of heavy traffic out of the Klang Valley.

Police have set up roadblocks out of the Klang Valley amid concerns that some people may try to make a balik kampung trip before the total lockdown that will come into force next Tuesday.

Noor Hisham shared images of traffic congestion out of the Klang Valley and lamented the mass movement of people despite the current inter-district travel ban.

"Bringing disease from one area to another will not help in our efforts to contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Stay at home and only go out if there are important matters.

"Help us save the national healthcare system which is about to be paralysed if the increase in cases is not controlled," he said in a Facebook post.

The country today recorded another 9,020 new Covid-19 cases, setting a new record for the fifth consecutive day.

Noor Hisham cautioned that overwhelmed healthcare workers mean those who need medical attention won't receive the best care they need.

"If we (healthcare workers) fail, you and your family members may not receive the best healthcare treatment.

"It will be more unfortunate if there are no more hospital beds left. More so if you fall critically ill and there are no more beds left in the intensive care units (ICU).

"Frontliners are exhausted but we still soldier on to save your lives," said Noor Hisham, who is a surgeon.

ICU capacities at public hospitals in the Klang Valley are already above capacity, forcing hospitals to convert normal wards into makeshift ICUs.

Some hospitals have also resorted to storing the dead in containers as their morgues are full. - Mkini