PETALING JAYA: The stabbing of a middle-aged man by a psychiatric patient has nothing to do with overcrowded wards, says health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
Noor Hisham said this incident could have happened anywhere as the patient was already experiencing mental health issues.
At a press conference today, he said the incident “coincidentally happened at Hospital Selayang”.
“(Previous) reports only point to congestion but this is not the case. An agitated patient can cause problems anywhere.
“The police took him to the hospital to admit him to a psychiatric ward and the incident coincidentally happened.
“We just need to update our SOPs on how a psychiatric patient is handled and placed at a hospital,” he said.
It was reported last night the victim was stabbed three times by a psychiatric patient who was upset for being stranded while waiting for a bed in the wards.
The hospital was said to be full at the time.
News of the attack came in the wake of reports of overcrowding at public hospitals, and the worsening of waiting periods and level of patient care.
On a separate matter, Noor Hisham refused to comment on claims the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines was carried out without the agreement of the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
He said the matter had been referred to the Public Accounts Committee, and added that a 521-page report has been presented and commenting on it would only “undermine the PAC”.
“If the PAC has already given its opinion (in its own report), then the matter is solved. But if we want to further question (the matter), the question is whether PAC’s report was right or not,” he said.
According to the PAC report, Putrajaya paid vaccine manufacturer Sinovac Biotech Ltd a premium for certain doses to make up for delays caused by Pharmaniaga’s fill and finish process.
Noor Hisham also said it was time for medical officers and assistant medical officers at district hospitals to receive training on elective surgeries.
He said this would help reduce congestion and the workload in state hospitals.
