SABAH’S public healthcare system is not collapsing, Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said, dismissing speculations the state’s health infrastructure was under strain due to the rising number of Covid-19 cases.

Sabah still has the capacity to manage the spike in infections, with only 52% of hospital beds available in use, and 28% of beds at quarantine centres filled, the director-general of health said.

“As far as we are concerned about Sabah, the healthcare system still has the capacity. It’s not like what you’ve read in some news. 

“This is based on the latest information and hope it will continue. We will enhance public health intervention in Sabah.

“I don’t know why people like to highlight a negative perception (increasing cases in Sabah) when we also have so many discharged,” he said at a press conference in Putrajaya today. 

Noor Hisham said that of the 1,240 cases reported today, 508 cases or 41% were reported in prisons, which had their own quarantine centres. 

“We have 1,202 hospital beds available in Sabah, with 52% used. From 4,511 beds in quarantine centres, only 28% are used.  

“Hence, combining both, from a total 5,713 beds, only 33% are currently in use,” he said. 

There have been reports about the lack of hospital beds for people who have tested positive for Covid-19, with some of them allegedly told to quarantine at home until beds are available. It was also reported that this wait at home could take up to two days.

On the possibility of placing virus positive patients at home in the event of a bed shortage, Noor Hisham said it was only being considered and is not a policy.

Those who have been swabbed and are waiting for results, however, must stay at home so as not to expose themselves. 

“Some of the patients are waiting for results. If I were to put a patient waiting for results in quarantine, then he will be exposed and mixed with a positive patient.  

“So, we ask them to stay at home.”

He also said around 200,000 RTK-antigen kits have been sent to Sabah.

Noor Hisham said the public should not worry as the state has 25 operational hospitals – including a field hospital near Tawau Hospital – of which nine are designated for Covid-19. 

He admitted that the current situation is difficult, but added that the ministry is more prepared now compared with the first wave earlier this year. – October 26, 2020.