KUALA LUMPUR: Covid-19 patients in Category Three should be monitored in a health facility and not left to undergo quarantine at home, suggested Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
In a blogpost today, the former prime minister said those in Category Three could be saved if they were placed in temporary hospitals such as military field hospitals.
"Category Three patients have lung infections and when it gets worse, they cannot get any treatments while at home.
"Family members at home cannot help because they should not be near the patient. The doctor cannot be contacted. The patient deteriorates. There are no oxygen (tanks) in the house. Eventually the patient dies.
"I believe those in this category can be saved, their numbers are not that high.
"Temporary hospitals can be set up, only needing oxygen and several doctors and nurses," he said.
Category Three is when patients have pneumonia and require observation by healthcare workers.
Dr Mahathir said more than 1,000 Covid-19 patients were in Category Three and could be quarantined in temporary hospitals.
Halls in hotels and other buildings could be equipped with beds, oxygen tanks, doctors and nurses, he said, adding that if the patient's condition worsens, healthcare workers could provide medical attention.
"If there is a lack of response (to treatment), the patient can be transferred to a regular hospital."
He also suggested that visits by a team of doctors and nurses must be made to those in Categories One and Two who were observing home quarantine, ensuring those who become worse be provided with oxygen.
In serious cases, they could be moved to a hospital or a hospital for Category Three patients, he added.
Dr Mahathir said the country was seeing a sharp increase in Covid-19 deaths, with an average of 400 deaths daily - a portion of which were those who were brought in dead.
"Why is this happening now? Because the infection rate is increasing. It's impossible that all those that are infected are warded in hospitals.
"The current practice is bad - only those needing oxygen and ventilators are placed in hospitals, who are in Categories Four and Five.
"I hope my suggestion will be accepted by the Health Ministry. I believe the number of new cases and deaths can be reduced." he added.