TWO public hospitals in Kedah, Baling Hospital and Sultanah Maliha Hospital, are in need of cold storage containers to temporarily store the remains of Covid-19 patients.

Kedah State Health Director Dr Othman Warijo said the facilities are required in preparation for the possible increase in Covid-19 deaths in both hospitals.

“So far, only Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Setar, Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital in Sungai Petani, and Kulim Hospital have received refrigerated containers to keep the remains of the Covid-19 patients,” he said today.

In the meantime, he said the department will also increase the number of intensive care unit (ICU) beds at the three hospitals, namely Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital, Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital, and Kulim Hospital.

“Currently, there are 96 ICU beds in all public hospitals in Kedah, and on average, the daily use of the beds has reached more than 90%.

“Most of the patients admitted to ICU will be in the unit for a long time, on average of 21 days before being discharged or transferred to a regular ward. That is why the ICU beds are always full,” he said.

Earlier, Othman accompanied Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor to inspect the opening of a mega vaccination centre at Amanjaya Sports Arena in Sungai Petani, which is expected to administer 5,000 doses of vaccine per day. – Bernama, August 6, 2021.