PUTRAJAYA should continue with the strategy of dedicating certain hospitals solely for Covid-19 treatment instead of opting for hybrid hospitals, said an expert.

Dr Musa Nordin from the KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital told The Malaysian Insight hybrid hospitals, which treat both Covid-19 and non Covid-19 patients, may compromise quality of care and safety of patients as well as healthcare workers.

There is fear among the public that such hospitals will compromise non-Covid-19 care, such as non-communicable diseases, cancer and even immunisation.

“The fear is real. I would not go to such a hybrid private hospital nor take any of my family members there. 

“If I am not even allowed to visit a Covid-19 patient in a government hospital or quarantine centre, why should I be allowed to go to a hybrid private hospital with Covid-19 patients?”

The consultant paediatrician said as beds fill up, Covid-19 hospitals could decongest by allowing asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients belonging to category 1 and 2 to isolate at home, adding that government hospitals could instead decant non-Covid-19 patients to private hospitals.

“The smart triage of cases will protect the capacity of our Covid-19 hospitals and allow private hospitals to play a bigger role in this private-public partnership (PPP) in Covid-19 pandemic management.”

Citing statistics, Musa said there are more than 600 Covid-19 deaths in a year. In comparison, there were 16,325 deaths from heart attacks in 2019, which translate to 45 fatalities a day.

There were also 36 deaths from pneumonia a day, stroke (24), accidents (12) and cancer (8).

While declaring a state of emergency, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the private healthcare sector can be co-opted in the fight against the pandemic.

Muhyiddin also said decanting patients to private hospitals will reduce the pressure on public hospitals and the heavily burdened health workers.

Director-general of health Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said expatriates, the business community or those with the financial means to receive treatment at private hospitals can opt for it.

A total of 96 private hospitals have agreed to come on board to accept Covid-19 cases, Noor Hisham said.

Asked on how private hospitals should charge their patients for Covid-19 treatment, Musa said they should ensure “rock-bottom fees”.

“Bottom line is, this is national duty. Private hospitals’ occupancy rate is very low.

“If private hospitals take in Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 patients, they will have less patients.
 One way to fill their beds is with non-Covid-19 patients from government hospitals.”

He added that reasonable fees will not antagonise the Health Ministry.

“If you are excessive, then MOH will not decant to you. Think ahead for a win-win situation.”

Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia president Dr Kuljit Singh recently told The Malaysian Insight that patients receiving treatment for Covid-19 at private hospitals will have to bear the cost themselves.

Patients will have to foot the bill or they can be covered by insurance if their policy provider is willing to cover Covid-19.

Kuljit said Covid-19 treatment will cost as much as treatment for any other viral infection. – January 28, 2021.