PUTRAJAYA - The operating hours for several health clinics in the Klang Valley will be extended to overcome overcrowding in hospitals.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali said the operating hours will be extended until 9pm and 10pm every day.
"This is to reduce the number of patients in the emergency department especially involving those who do not require immediate medical attention,” he said.
The initiative, he said would require health officers at health clinics to work in shifts.
"This is among the steps taken by the Health Ministry to reduce the number of patients at the green zone who could be treated at health clinics,” he said.
He was commenting on the issue of overcrowding at government hospitals as reported by the media.
Dr Noor Azmi said the operating hours beyond office hours will be expanded throughout other states depending on the needs.
"It has been implemented before, but due to the Covid-19 outbreak, it has to be put on hold,” he said.
Meanwhile in another development, Dr Azmi said the ministry did not have a specific standard operating procedure (SOP) in controlling the influenza infection in educational institutions.
However, he said if a person was infected with influenza, they must self-isolate and take precautions,” he added.