BM hospital now to cater to Covid-19 cases

 

Bukit Mertajam Hospital will have 72 beds with piped-in oxygen dedicated for Covid-19 patients. This can be expanded to 120 beds if need be. (File pic)

GEORGE TOWN: Bukit Mertajam Hospital (HBM) has been converted into a hybrid Covid-19 hospital and took in its first patient this morning.

Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, in a Facebook post, said that in view of the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the state, the Penang health department had acted swiftly after six days of careful planning and preparation to accommodate Covid-19 patients at the hospital.

“There will be 72 beds with piped-in oxygen dedicated for Covid-19 patients. This can be expanded to 120 beds if the demand increases.

“It will also be able to take in haemodialysis patients infected with Covid-19 as all wards are equipped with bedside haemodialysis facilities,” he said.

He added that all specialist services at HBM would still be provided, although the surgical disciplines, obstetrics and gynaecology, and paediatrics would operate with a reduced capacity.

“Non-Covid-19 patients will be diverted to other hospitals in the Seberang Perai hospital cluster if the need arises,” he said. - FMT