KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL), one of the oldest hospitals under the Health Ministry, needs nearly RM100 million to replace expired or outdated medical equipment, a report said.
HKL director Datuk Dr Harikrishna K.R. Nair said this was to ensure that the equipment and medical supplies were in good, perfect, and safe condition to meet patient needs.
Speaking to Utusan Malaysia, he said HKL, as one of the main healthcare centres in Malaysia, needed to conduct regular quality monitoring of medical equipment to ensure it would not compromise the effectiveness of the treatment process.
"The estimated cost to replace medical equipment that has exceeded its usage period is approaching RM100 million.
"Medical supplies that have expired and can be disposed of will be recorded for the purpose of applying to replace them with new medical equipment, in accordance with the Management and Procurement of Government Assets Procedures," he said as quoted by the Malay daily.
He said among the equipment that were due for replacement and disposal included the robotic surgery system, ripple mattresses, aspirators, volumetric pumps, electrocardiogram machines, spot vital sign equipment, syringe infusion pumps, infusion pumps, defibrillators, and blood gas analysers.
Dr Harikrishna said each piece of equipment was important in patient treatment and care. He said for example, the robotic surgery system aided surgeons to be more accurate while ripple mattresses are used to prevent pressure sores for patients who are bedridden for long periods.
All these equipment, he added, were frequently being used in critical units such as the intensive care unit, emergency room, and operating room.
Dr Harikrishna said HKL would continue to innovate in medical systems and equipment to meet current needs.
"HKL now uses robotic technology in invasive treatments and surgeries, increasing accuracy and reducing complication.
"This initiative is on par with international medical systems and is capable of providing more effective, safe, and patient-oriented care," he added.