THE Malaysia Agro Exposition Park (MAEPS) low-risk quarantine and treatment centre (PKRC 2.0) in Serdang, Selangor is in a fix due to a shortage of oxygen supply, said sources.

The Malaysian Insight has learnt that the centre is now working to secure oxygen from other suppliers.

“We’re looking for companies to provide us with oxygen today,” a source said.

The shortage could affect some 100 patients who are in need of oxygen.

The facility, which has more than 5,000 beds, has been receiving an average of 800 patients a day with 200 being in Category 4.

Health Minister Dr Adham Baba said on July 8 that all 154 beds allocated for Category 4 patients at MAEPS have been used up.

A Category 4 Covid-19 infection refers to a patient suffering from symptoms of pneumonia and is given oxygen support while a Category 5 patient share the same condition and multi-organ failures.

He said the ministry was increasing resources at Covid-19 treatment centres to cope with the growing patient load.

He added that MAEPS will also receive a total of 1,550 oxygen cylinders to ensure continuous supply at the centre.

The ministry has also decided to procure 300 units of oxygen concentrators.

The Malaysian Insight reported on June 25 that nearly 150 severely ill Covid-19 patients in MAEPS PKRC 2.0 were in the queue for transfer to hospitals, which have run out of beds.

Health facilities in the Klang Valley have been stretched with the continuing increase in the number of Covid-19 cases. – July 13, 2021.