KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 10 — Several private hospitals in the Klang Valley do not have enough beds and anti-influenza drugs to cater to increasing flu patients.
Free Malaysia Today (FMT) reported Assunta Hospital and Thomson Medical Centre in Petaling Jaya as saying that they have run out of beds, while the Damansara Specialist Centre is awaiting for new supplies of anti-influenza medicines.
Ramsay Sime Darby Health Care told FMT that its Subang Jaya, Ara Damansara, and ParkCity medical centres saw a rise in flu cases.
“We are keeping a close watch on these cases and advising our patients that if their symptoms do not subside and get severe instead, they should come back to the hospital to get a review,” the private hospital group was quoted saying.
Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye told FMT that a sudden surge in flu cases left some private hospitals waiting to replenish their stocks of Influenza A medications, though these were sufficient in public facilities.
Anti-viral shots, he said, were reserved for pregnant women, children below five, senior citizens, and those with cancer, kidney failure, diabetes, or obesity.
Dr Lee told flu patients to rest at home.
“They need good rest. They will recover. If we admit everyone at public hospitals, others may be infected, too.”
The Selangor State Health Department said yesterday that two Influenza A incidents occurred Wednesday in a Cyberjaya primary school affecting 20 pupils and a teacher, as well as in a family in Klang involving two siblings.
“No schools in Selangor were shuttered as a result of the flu,” said Selangor state health director Dr Sha’ari Ngadiman, as he advised the public, especially high-risk people, to get seasonal flu vaccines at private health facilities.
The Penang State Education Department said yesterday that the number of Influenza A patients in the state has risen to 53 from 19 the previous day. Education authorities have closed down two Year Two classes at SJKC Li Hwa, Butterworth, from yesterday for 11 days, after 19 pupils contracted the flu virus, Astro Awani reported.
The Education Ministry said Wednesday that it has received reports of several schools in Penang, Selangor, and other states shuttering when students were diagnosed with Influenza A.
