SIBU: Hospital Sibu medical staff have been working up to 12 hours a day due to the increase in Covid-19 patients, says Deputy Health Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang.

       He said apart from exceeding their eight-hour working schedule, some doctors and nurses were also treated or quarantined when they were found positive with the coronavirus.

       "The nine Covid-19 wards and two ICUs have exceeded capacity. For instance, a ward meant for 28 beds is now filled up with 50 beds. This is a big challenge and it has forced the staff to work longer hours. The medical staff can still apply for leave, but only for important matters," he said at a press conference on Saturday (Oct 2).

       The nine Covid-19 wards, he said, have a total of 273 patients, while the two ICUs have reached its limit of 66 patients.

       He added that as a result, the hospital has to outsource non-Covid operations to private medical specialist centres to lessen their burden.

       The Kanowit MP said the workforce problem faced by Hospital Sibu has been an issue since its opening 27 years ago.

       "A modular ICU is expected to be completed on Oct 11 with a capacity of 10 beds in addition to the existing Covid ICU wards. We are also setting up a field hospital with 100 beds to take in non-Covid patients,” he said.

       The division currently has 737 Covid-19 patients, where the others and PUI (persons under investigation) were placed at a low-risk quarantine centre.

       Hospital Sibu presently has 369 doctors and specialists, 1,482 nurses and other support staff.

       Separately, he said a task force will be set up to manage and discuss the need for medical services for the central region.

       "This long-term plan is still in the planning and consultation stage. Health experts have agreed to set-up this task force.

       “All this while, we have been dependent on Kuching and we hope to reduce it," he said.

       He added that the proposal for the setting up of the task force would be submitted to the state government and Health Ministry.

       Sarawak Assistant Minister of Education, Science, and Technological Research, Dr Annuar Rapaee, will lead the committee.