KUALA LUMPUR – Private hospitals nationwide are more than willing to assist the government whenever Covid-19 patients are referred to their facilities, subject to the capacity and capability of each hospital.

Confirming that the matter was discussed during a virtual engagement with Health Ministry officials on Saturday, Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) president Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh assured that Covid-19 patients will be prioritised upon reference from government hospitals.

“We are able to assist the government in handling Covid-19 patients. However, we also made it clear that this is subject to the capacity and capability of each private medical facility in the country.

“Unlike government hospitals that have a bigger capacity and staffing, treating Covid-19 patients at private medical facilities, especially those in need of critical care, is limited because most facilities tend to not have many intensive care unit (ICU) wards and staff members,” he told The Vibes.

Dr Kuljit said most private medical centres have between five and 10 ICU beds, hence admission capability for critical cases is limited.

“Therefore, Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah’s call to refer patients of certain criteria and upon their request (to private healthcare facilities) is something that is manageable.”

To ease the burden on government hospitals, Dr Kuljit said private facilities will accept non-coronavirus cases referred to them, subject to discussion between the government hospital and the targeted private facility before a transfer is agreed on.

The private healthcare sector is ready to accept Covid-19 patients from government hospi-tals, depending on private facilities’ capability and capacity, says Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia president Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh. – Facebook pic, January 26, 2021

The private healthcare sector is ready to accept Covid-19 patients from government hospi-tals, depending on private facilities’ capability and capacity, says Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia president Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh. – Facebook pic, January 26, 2021

Asked about APHM’s position on asymptomatic Covid-19 patients, he said the association will follow the government’s present directive – to request patients who are either asymptomatic or have mild symptoms to isolate at home.

“Of course, it is a grey area. Some patients insist on being admitted to a private facility because they can afford the treatment. In that case, we will leave it to the doctor and patient to communicate in the best interest of the patient.”

Dr Kuljit’s comments come after Dr Noor Hisham said government hospitals will only refer Covid-19 patients who meet specific criteria to private facilities – such as ambassadors, expatriates and others, and those who request referrals to private centres.

On the issue of hospital capacity, Dr Noor Hisham said 130 private hospitals can treat Covid-19 patients in Categories 3, 4 and 5.

Category 1 involves cases with no symptoms, Category 2 comprises cases with mild symptoms, Category 3 is for cases with pneumonia, Category 4 includes pneumonia cases requiring oxygen, and Category 5 is for cases requiring breathing assistance.

“Out of the 130 hospitals, 95 have already agreed to treat such patients,” Dr Noor Hisham said, adding that this agreement with the private healthcare sector adds 1,286 beds, 65 ICU beds and 54 ventilators to the government’s existing capabilities.

Yesterday, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow confirmed that private hospitals in his state have started taking in Covid-19 patients to alleviate the pressure on the public healthcare system.