Move to improve experience of patients’ families at hospitals
KOTA KINABALU: The Ministry of Health and People's Wellbeing is looking into measures to improve the experience of patients' families at government hospitals.
Commenting on the inconvenience faced by family members who stay at hospitals while their loved ones seek treatment, minister Stephen Wong Tien Fatt said the ministry will look into the possibility of building a hostel or any form of lodging to lessen the burden of family members, especially those who travel from afar and the hardcore poor.
Wong said however relatives of ward patients should make use of Queen Elizabeth Hospital 1's (QEH 1) free public dormitory and refrain from turning its grounds into what looks like a “refugee camp”.
He said the dormitory, located very close to QEH1, had 40 beds and occupancy was only at 78%.
He said the public were not keen on using the facility and would rather sit or lie down in the wards or lobby area whilst waiting for their loved ones to be treated for up to eight days.
“For those who are living in the wards, maybe that one can be excused but living in the lobby outside when there is a place for them to stay, I think this is not justified,” Wong said.
“I think for that the hospital may be taking steps (to overcome) this thing. For those who are staying you have to live in the space that is provided unless it is already full house.
“We are considerate, to give all the convenience but the public also have to work together with us. Otherwise, you will make our hospital just like a refugee camp,” he elaborated.
The hospital often practises slow and soft persuasions to lure relatives to the stay at the hospital's dormitory, which segregates its male and female guests.
“The relatives of the patients should co-operate with the hospital. There is no reason when we offer you, you do not want to stay in the lobby and make our hospital very ugly in the evening. This is not a refugee camp,” he said.
“We want to do our best. Whatever is our shortcoming, we will improve but we need the public to work together with us then we can only develop,” he added.
Wong conducted a spot check at Queen Elizabeth Hospital 2 (QEH2) on Wednesday night, accompanied by Luyang assemblyman Ginger Phoong and Chief Justice of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Richard Malanjum, who was among those who alerted Stephen of the situation.
A doctor at QEH2, who did not wish to be named, said the hospital received many outstation patients, rendering the situation of relatives sleeping in the public gallery unavoidable.
“It's always been like this. In QEH1, family members have the option of hostels but still that's not enough. We need something more permanent.
“Patients have family who stay all night with them but it's just that there are no facilities,” said the doctor.
In addition to improving conditions for families of patients, Stephen said the ministry also wants to look into the possibility of setting up more clinics in the interior.