Chua Assures Government Hospitals Clean, Safe
BUKIT MERTAJAM, July 14 (Bernama) -- Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek Thursday assured that government hospitals have cleanliness and safety levels that conform to international standards.
He said the public need not worry about visiting or being admitted to government hospitals as measures had been taken to reduce the risk of infection among the staff, visitors and patients.
Critical sections in hospitals such as intensive care units, operating theatres, coronary care units, paediatric wards and delivery wards were constantly cleaned and sterilised, he told reporters after a visit to the hospital here.
He said the airconditioning system also conformed to the standards set by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRE) or the United Kingdom's Health Department."In the operating theatres, the airconditioners have filtering systems to increase the air cleanliness levels," he said.
Dr Chua said the operating theatre staff all adhered to strict safety procedures while on the job by wearing surgical gloves, face masks and special clothing, and they scrubbed their hands well before surgery.
He was commenting on a report in an English daily two days ago that claimed only a few of the government hospitals had equipment to clean the air breathed in by doctors and patients.It alleged the lack of sterilising equipment in many hospitals endangered the health of staff working in them and exposed patients to risk of infection.
According to the report, at least 25 doctors, nurses and staff in 11 government hospitals were infected with tuberculosis last year.Dr Chua said every district and state hospital had its own special team to monitor the condition of patients and staff.
"The total number of staff reportedly infected with infectious disease is minimal compared to the total number of 80,000 staff in all government hospitals," he said.
Last year, he said, government hospitals treated about 40 million outpatients and 1.7 million inpatients.
Dr Chua described the newspaper report as incorrect and confusing which could cause alarm in health professionals and the public.
-- BERNAMA
The NST has caused much concern among Malaysians recently with its scary articles on the safety of the hospital environment, see this and this. The staff of gomen hospital may not go home wondering whether they are carrying dangerous bugs of all sorts but family members and friends may wonder whether they should be keeping a healthy distance. The article concerning the pregnant doctor who contacted TB was definitely alarming to many.
It is good that the MOH has come out to clear the air regarding his hospitals' airs. And for all intent and purposes what he say is true. But it would be good pratice if our children can be kept away from being taken along when their adults go visiting sick friends or relatives warded in hospitals. The rule that children should not be brought during such visits need to be strictly observed by the hospital authorities.
The MOH would need also to have more isolation facilities in its hospitals and with the rise in tuberculosis cases maybe the TB wards may need to be reopened.
It is good that the MOH has come out to clear the air regarding his hospitals' airs. And for all intent and purposes what he say is true. But it would be good pratice if our children can be kept away from being taken along when their adults go visiting sick friends or relatives warded in hospitals. The rule that children should not be brought during such visits need to be strictly observed by the hospital authorities.
The MOH would need also to have more isolation facilities in its hospitals and with the rise in tuberculosis cases maybe the TB wards may need to be reopened.
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