Public hospitals need 16,000 more beds

KUALA LUMPUR: Public hospitals in the country need 16,000 more beds for critical patients, said the Health Ministry's medical development division director Datuk Azman Abu Bakar.
He said despite the temporary setback, the ministry has identified 300 kinds of operations that would allow patients to return home within the day.
"They do not necessarily need to stay for long periods in hospitals to recuperate. Instead, they will be placed temporarily in a 'transit lounge'.
"This is because after an operation is completed, they will still use the same bed which they had used before being discharged. This process will take an entire day.
"By identifying the type of operations and care needed, it would result in lesser congestion for other patients who need the bed," he told reporters here today after his speech at the 3rd Annual Healthcare Management Excellence ceremony held at Putra World Trade Centre.
When asked on Malaysia's stand on quality healthcare, he said that the World Health Organisation recognises the country as being able to provide affordable medical pricing which ranges from RM5 to RM10.
"In Perak and Pahang, there's a special air service (for mobile clinics). We have dedicated staff and also accommodate full-paying patients (patients who are able to pay for the full medical service).
Currently, there are 10 hospitals that are embarking on the full-paying patients model and by next year, another 18 will do the same," he said.
The move is meant for doctors to be maintained in the civil service instead of moving to the private sector where they can possibly earn four times more, he added.