KUALA LUMPUR: The Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia thanked the government for relaxing the10km ruling during the movement control order (MCO) allowing patients to get treatment from a healthcare facility.
Its president Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh said patients on long-term care tend to go to specific doctors to receive treatment and follow up on their conditions.
“It’s not possible for them to start consulting someone new within the 10km radius, especially if the medical records are in another hospital.
“Likewise, with patients in some parts of the country which do not have a healthcare facility within 10km, this relaxation of the rule will assist many patients,” he said in a statement on Friday (April 3).
Dr Kuljit urged patients to have medical appointment cards, SMS or WhatsApp Messages and letters from hospitals stating their appointment dates with them to facilitate easy access through police roadblocks.
Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri announced the leeway on Thursday after many patients protested.
Aside from this, Dr Kuljit also said that some elective surgeries that patients had to put on hold following the MCO should be allowed as their medical conditions could change with time.
He added that all healthcare providers must ensure that the patient is tested Covid-19 negative before any procedure is done to prevent the spread.
“We urge healthcare insurance companies to extent the coverage of this testing to all in-patients to be treated in the ward or for a surgical procedure,” he said.
