The Sabah Health Department has announced a series of improvements at Queen Elizabeth Hospital I following public concerns over the hospital’s facilities and services, particularly during night-time operations.
In a statement, the department said the measures were introduced in response to feedback circulating on social media regarding the hospital environment after dark.
Among the issues highlighted were long waiting times at the Emergency and Trauma Department, members of the public resting in the hospital lobby, the operation of the hospital canteen and the availability of parking spaces.
As an immediate response, the department said it will strengthen monitoring of the lobby, public walkways and waiting areas during the night to improve safety and ensure greater comfort for patients and visitors.
It also plans to provide clearer information on canteen operating hours while enhancing communication with patients and their families regarding waiting procedures and treatment priorities in the Emergency and Trauma Department.
The hospital explained that patients are treated according to the severity of their condition under a triage system rather than on a first-come, first-served basis, with critically ill patients receiving immediate priority.
According to the department, 42 green zone patients were treated between 9pm and 10am on the night referred to in the social media posts, with two medical officers on duty during that period.
Responding to photographs showing people sleeping in the hospital lobby and public walkways, the department said checks found that those individuals were not patients waiting for treatment or medical appointments.
Instead, most were family members, caregivers or visitors from rural and outstation areas who faced difficulties finding temporary accommodation.
The department noted that while the hospital provides a visitors’ lodge, the facility is unable to accommodate the growing number of relatives accompanying patients.
It said the hospital understands the challenges faced by families and will continue monitoring the use of public spaces to ensure safety, cleanliness, comfort and unobstructed access for everyone.
The department also clarified that the hospital canteen operates 24 hours a day, except for a scheduled closure every Saturday from midnight until 5am to allow for routine cleaning.
