Seri Kembangan assemblyperson Ean Yong Hian Wah has demanded answers over a Facebook post with heart-wrenching videos of patients in makeshift tents, with some sleeping on the floor.
The post claimed that the videos were recorded at Serdang Hospital, but there has been no confirmation on this matter from the authorities.
Calling on Health Minister Dr Adham Baba to explain if this is true, Ean lamented that the videos made Malaysia appear like a Third-World nation.
“Unfortunately, the people under the governance of Perikatan Nasional have to go through this, which hasn't happened since independence,” he added in a statement.
The DAP assemblyperson also reiterated his call for Adham to be replaced, claiming that the latter is unfit to helm the Health Ministry.
“I once again urge the federal government to appoint a new health minister.
“The people don't want to wait for incidents such as (the one) at Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR) Klang to happen - only when the prime minister visits, the new beds will come. This approach is incorrect and unprofessional.
“It has been 24 hours since the videos went viral. Until now, nobody from the PN government is capable of answering or providing solutions to this problem,” Ean added.
According to the viral post, the videos were recorded by a Covid-19 patient who was admitted to the hospital yesterday, after suffering breathing difficulties.
“The hospital is out of beds, many patients were placed in makeshift tents outside. There is not enough drinking water, and the toilets are dirty. Some of them (in the tents) did not get a (canvas) bed or mattress.
“She (the person who recorded the videos) had to look around the hospital (for something to sleep on) and found a piece of cloth to lie down on,” read the post.
Contacted by Malaysiakini today, the patient, who requested anonymity, said the situation had improved since the videos went viral.
She said there were now fewer patients who had to sleep on the ground. However, some had to contend with sleeping on plastic chairs.
Meanwhile, the Facebook post claimed that hospital authorities prohibited patients from taking photos or recording videos. They were also told not to video call family members.
Earlier this month, the Health Ministry announced additional support for hospitals in the Klang Valley, which is the current epicentre of the outbreak in Malaysia.
This included mobilising 6,500 healthcare workers from other states, purchasing more supplies for public hospitals and working with private hospitals to set up more Low-risk Covid-19 Quarantine and Treatment Centres and Covid-19 Assessment Centres. - Mkini
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