Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Health Department (JKNS) has clarified issues raised in a social media post regarding services and facilities at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), including waiting times at the Emergency and Trauma Department (ETD), people resting in the hospital lobby, canteen operations and parking.
JKNS said ETD patients are treated according to the severity of their condition under the triage system rather than queue numbers, adding that 42 Green Zone patients were recorded between 9pm and 10am on the night concerned, with two medical officers on duty.
It said those seen resting or sleeping in the hospital lobby and walkways were mostly relatives, caregivers or visitors from outside the district and interior areas facing difficulties obtaining temporary accommodation, while QEH's visitor hall remains insufficient to accommodate the large number of family members.
JKNS said the hospital canteen operates around the clock except for a scheduled closure every Saturday from midnight to 5am for cleaning, while parking at QEH may be limited during peak periods due to high numbers of patients, relatives and visitors.
The department said QEH will strengthen monitoring of public areas and waiting spaces at night, improve communication on ETD waiting procedures and canteen operations, and continue working to provide safe, continuous healthcare services while enhancing facilities and the public's experience.
