No air-con in Pahang hospital ICU for three months
The doctors and patients of an intensive care unit (ICU) in a Pahang hospital have been facing sweltering conditions for three months due to a breakdown of the air conditioning system there.
To make matters worse, they may have to wait for more than a year and a half before repairs are completed.
According to Pahang Health Department director Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar, the air-conditioning system of the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital block housing its ICU ward broke down three months ago.
An assessment determined that the damage was so extensive that the entire system needed to be replaced.
While the hospital has made temporary arrangements, staff have been working with the windows open to allow patients to get fresh air.
Standing fans have been deployed to help combat the stuffy conditions.
Infection
Patients and their family members as well as hospital staff have raised concerns about the spread of infection in such an environment.
One nurse remarked that "we don't know what's causing the hold-up".
Dr Zainal said that the delay was due to the assessment and estimation of the costs involved across several agencies and that a tender had been issued.
Repair work is slated to start by March, he said.
While Dr Zainal admitted that the lack of air-conditioning would increase the likelihood of infection, he added that he hoped the situation could be resolved as soon as possible.
Source: The Star Online
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