MELAKA, Aug 11 — The Mercy Malaysia field hospital, which was set up near the Melaka Hospital Emergency and Trauma Department, today began treating COVID-19 patients in Category 3 and 4 in a bid to reduce congestion at the hospital.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali said the temporary hospital, which took four days to complete, could accommodate a maximum of 100 patients at one time.
For a start, a total of 75 beds have been placed in the hospital and it had received the first group of patients at about 4 pm today, he added.
“Mercy Malaysia has provided medical and non-medical equipment for the use of staff and patients and fully bears the construction costs of the field hospital.
“On behalf of the state government, Melaka Health Department and Melaka Hospital, I thank Mercy Malaysia and Health Ministry for realising the construction of this field hospital,” he told reporters after visiting the field hospital here today.
Also present were state Health and Anti-Drugs Committee chairman Datuk Rahmad Mariman and state Health deputy director (Public Health) Dr Rusdi Abdul Rahman.
Sulaiman said a total of nine health workers would be stationed at the field hospital which has been equipped with safety features such as an alarm system and fire extinguishers to ensure the safety of patients and staff.
He added that all COVID-19 patients would be treated at Melaka Hospital and Mercy Malaysia field hospital while non-COVID-19 patients would be placed at Jasin Hospital, Alor Gajah Hospital and Armed Forces Hospital at the Terendak Camp.
