Health DG: Doctors now forced to ‘prioritise ICU beds for patients with a high recovery potential’

PETALING JAYA (May 30): Doctors have no choice but to prioritise Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds for Covid-19 patients with a higher chance of recovery owing to the strain on Malaysia’s the health care system brought about by the current spike in infections.

“When active cases of Covid-19 exceed our ability to treat, then doctors have to make the difficult choice to prioritise ICU beds for patients with a high recovery potential over patients with low recovery potential (poor prognosis),” said Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah in a Twitter posting yesterday.

His statement was made in light of a record 98 deaths caused by Covid-19 in the country yesterday.

“Ninety eight deaths today, bringing the total number of Covid-19 deaths to 2,650. 471 deaths occurred in 2020, and 2,179 deaths in 2021.

“In the period from May 1-29 this year alone, a total of 1,144 deaths were reported, the highest number of monthly deaths so far,” added Dr Noor Hisham.

Earlier this month, Kedah Health and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Dr Mohd Hayati Othman revealed that patients who are deemed to “have no hope of recovery” will no longer be warded in ICU facilities at hospitals in the state.

Dr Mohd Hayati said such a decision has to be made to “maximise the survivability rate of patients that will occupy the beds”.

"I feel guilty (serba salah) but I feel this has to be said. Some doctors have no choice but to choose which patient needs to be admitted to the ICU. If the patient's medical condition is too chronic and has no hope of (recovery), we will not admit him or her to the ICU,” he said.

Get the latest news @ www.EdgeProp.my

Subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest stories and updates 

Click here for more property stories