PETALING JAYA: Although the rate of admission was marginally higher in July, private hospitals are not experiencing an overflow of patients with Influenza, says the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM).
Its president Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh disputed a media report stating that private hospitals were seeing such a situation.
"The majority of private hospitals in peninsular, Sabah, and Sarawak have seen an increase in admissions of influenza A.
"However, the rate was not alarming enough to affect admissions for other conditions.
"In general, private hospitals have seen an increase in admission of patients seeking treatment for a variety of other chronic and non-chronic diseases, as well as emergencies," he said in a statement on Monday (Aug 28).
Dr Kuljit added after the pandemic, the demand for personalised and private care had increased.
But he pointed out the demand had no link to Covid-19, but rather due to the long periods of lockdowns and restricted movement, which might have reduced health care and monitoring.
On another matter, Dr Kuljit reiterated the association's need for more personnel especially nurses that had hindered their efforts to increase bed capacity.
Despite repeated calls to the government on recruiting private foreign nurses to meet the current requirements, it had not borne fruit, he said.
"In private hospitals, our readiness to manage newer strains of Covid-19 is adequate, should an outbreak occur.
"We also hope that the public will take steps to prevent the transmission of any upper respiratory tract infection, including Covid-19 and Influenza A, by wearing masks in crowded areas, sanitising their hands, and avoiding close contact with others.
"In high-risk populations, antivirals are recommended for early treatment of these conditions, and we are prepared with sufficient medication and space," he said.
Dr Kuljit said they were concerned about infectious diseases as it could increase healthcare costs and income loss for the populace.
Even though the current situation in private hospitals was not alarming, he said preventative measures against the spread of infectious diseases was crucial.
