PORT DICKSON: Following the significant spike in hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases in the country, Hospital UCSI here has taken the initiative to provide a special ward to treat infected children.

       The hospital's Medical And Paediatrics director Professor Dr Amaluddin Ahmad said Ward 3A, which started operating last Friday (May 20), can accommodate children from Negri Sembilan as well as neighbouring states.

       "It is has 20 beds and a team of 11 including specialist doctors. The charges are as low as RM200 and not more than RM5,000, depending on the seriousness of the illness.

       "Most of the cases treated have light symptoms and we (treat) fever, dehydration, nutrition and ulcers in the mouth.

       "At the same time, we also monitor patients to see if they have symptoms in organs such as the lungs and heart,” he told reporters on Monday (May 23).

       ALSO READ: Over 2,200 HFMD cases detected in Negri since January

       State health, environment, co-operatives and consumerism committee chairman S. Veerapan was recently reported as saying that Negri Sembilan recorded 2,249 cases of HFMD from January to May 19, a significant hike compared to the same period last year.

       Dr Amaluddin said most HFMD cases occurred among babies and children up to 12 years old, but there were some cases that involved older patients.

       As such, he advised parents to always monitor the health of their children and not send them to schools or care centres if they experienced symptoms of HFMD such as fever, ulcers in the mouth or blisters on the hands or legs.

       He said the hospital also conducted campaigns to check on HFMD through social media, webinars and at kindergartens in the district to foster continuous awareness among the community. – Bernama