Emergency cases must be attended to: APHM

MalayMail:The Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) has described as “unacceptable’’ for any hospital not to provide treatment to those in a life-threatening situation.
Concerned over recent allegations that some private hospitals had refused to render emergency treatment to patients who were unable to pay a deposit first, the APHM said these establishments should not forget that their primary duty was to provide healthcare.
“If you are in the healthcare business, the interest of the patient must be given priority over everything. This is not to say that their business concerns should be overlooked but due care must be given in a life-threatening situation. It is simply unacceptable not to provide treatment in such a situation. To delay treatment would be inhuman,’’ said APHM president Tan Sr Dr Abu Bakar Suleiman.
He said any private medical centre which had the facilities should render its services during an emergency.
“To avoid confusion or problems, they should also provide information on their signboards to indicate whether they are equipped with an emergency department, a surgery or other facilities.
“If they do not have the facilities, they should at least render first aid or help to stabilise the patient before calling an ambulance or arranging to have the patient transferred to the nearest hospital.’’
Dr Abu Bakar, who is a former Director-General of Health, said although most private hospitals are doing their best, there is a need to address this issue and overcome the problem.
He said the APHM would also raise this matter at its next board meeting.