Health minister, MP pay surprise visit to Klang hospital for unfiltered look

 

Health Minister Dr Adham Baba and Klang MP Charles Santiago paid a surprise visit to the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR) in Klang last night to get an unfiltered look at how the facility is managing with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, Charles said the spot-check lasted about two hours.

"This was unscheduled, it took everybody by surprise," the DAP lawmaker said, adding that even HTAR director Dr Zulkarnain Mohd Rawi was not aware the duo would be dropping in.

During their visit, Charles said he and the minister spent time talking to patients, including those who had been waiting for hours to get a bed.

"We saw this woman from Teluk Gong, waiting outside on a wheelchair.

"She was coughing and having some difficulty breathing, and had been waiting for hours but had not been admitted yet because there was no bed," he added.

Among those waiting, Charles said some had gone without food for hours, while others had eaten.

This prompted Adham to arrange for Pharmaniaga to send 400 packs of food to the hospital each day to ensure that patients do not go hungry.

The duo also spoke to doctors, who told them about their dire need for ventilators, oxygen supply and beds.

They also had a frank conversation with the hospital director.

Health Minister Dr Adham Baba and Klang MP Charles Santiago at the Klang Hospital

Charles said arrangements were being made to bring in more specialists to help out at HTAR, as well as more ventilators and oxygen supplies.

During their visit, he said Mercy Malaysia was also setting up tents that could accommodate another 100 beds for patients.

The surprise visit was a result of an exchange the Klang MP had with Adham in Parliament on Tuesday, in which the minister invited him to go on a spot-check at HTAR.

Charles said he was thankful to Adham for keeping to his word, adding that efforts made as a result of the visit were a "good start".

"It's a good start, but it's the actions that matter the most, so we'll see how things go."

He noted that the situation at HTAR remains dire, with a "scary" number of patients being brought in during their visit.

From July 16 up to yesterday, 16,525 Covid-19 cases were recorded in Klang. - Mkini