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to provide step down care for patients who were recovering
from the disease. Facilities or premises outside hospitals such
as training institutes, community halls and students or staff
accommodation complexes were capitalised to meet the
increasing demand for isolation of cases. Thus far, Malaysia’s
strong capacity in outbreak preparedness and response have
helped establish a stable foundation in its response to COVID-19
pandemic.

Decanting

1 2 3 7 10
To maximise capacity of full and hybrid COVID-19 hospitals, 4 5 6 8
existing patients were decanted to nearby non-Covid hospitals.
The process of decanting, although hard and tedious, was 9
necessary to ensure non-Covid patients received appropriate
treatment with maintained standard of care. 1. DG chairing a coordination meeting on
establishment of Hospital Permai Johor
as COVID-19 Hospital
For example, using the Cluster Hospital platform, Hospital 2. Discussion happening outside Hospital
Tanjung Karang and Hospital Sabak Bernam received non- Permai Johor during early phase of the
pandemic
Covid cases from Hospital Sungai Buloh and were used to 3. Inside view of an Isolation ward of
maintain elective laparoscopy and surgical procedures. Hospital Semporna Sabah completed
during the third wave
4. Seen here staff in Hospital Rembau
In Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL), emergency and semi- Negeri Sembilan monitoring a
emergency surgical services for non-Covid cases were shifted COVID-19 patient
to Hospital Angkatan Tentera Tuanku Mizan (HATMM), located 5. An image of a ward at the Hospital
Hulu Terengganu which was
about 20 minutes from HKL. This has allowed continuation of designated as a full COVID-19 Hospital
care for at least 222 patients and as such has provided more 6. Image of a cleaner preparing the
COVID-19 ward at HKL
space in HKL to treat COVID-19 cases. 7. Coordination meeting at the Ministry of
Health Malaysia
On the other hand, in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA) 8. Decanting in Hospital Tengku Ampuan
Afzan
Kuantan, patients were decanted to nearby International Islamic 9. Inspecting equipment in preparation
University Malaysia (IIUM) Medical Centre. Through concerted to shift surgical cases from COVID-19
Hospital
effort by MOH hospitals and its counterpart such as the armed 10. Ongoing discussion between Hospital
forces, universities and other agencies, the decanting process Sungai Buloh and Hospital Tanjung
was done smoothly with minimal disruption to critical and non- Karang
critical services.

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