HSB reduces non-urgent surgeries, priority to COVID-19 cases

The Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital (HSB) here will reduce and postpone non-urgent surgeries to give priority to efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in Kedah.

State health director Dr Mohd Fikri Ujang said the management of emergency cases at the hospital is as usual while appointments at the specialist clinics will be re-scheduled.

“We will also implement a mechanism to supply medicine to patients. Those outside the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) areas whose management requires the medication to be continued will be identified and they will get the medicine at the nearest clinic.

“For supply of medicine at home, patients are encouraged to use existing facilities where the medicine are sent to their homes by postal service, they can contact the HSB’s pharmacy division about this,” he told Bernama here yesterday.

Dr Mohd Fikri said the Kuala Nerang Hospital has also been activated to accept an increase in maternity cases for mothers who intended to deliver at the HSB.

“It has been activated since Wednesday, only normal deliveries will be conducted at the Kuala Nerang Hospital but if there are complications, it will still be at the HSB,” he said.

He added that the Health Ministry was still conducting screening tests on residents in EMCO areas and tests on all locals are expected to be completed today.

-- BERNAMA