The Penang Health Department has apologised for lengthy waiting times at Penang Hospital’s Emergency and Trauma Department after a video showing overcrowded conditions went viral on social media on the night of 20 August.
Penang Health director Dr Zulhizzam Abdullah said patients at the emergency department are managed through a triage system based on medical severity, not arrival time, Malay Mail reported. Critical Red Zone cases receive immediate treatment, followed by semi-critical Yellow Zone patients. Non-emergency Green Zone cases involving mild symptoms are attended to last.
“We apologise for the inconvenience, especially to elderly patients and their companions,” Dr Zulhizzam said in a statement on 21 August. He added that during peak periods, including late at night, treatment priority is given to Red and Yellow cases, which may result in longer waits for Green Zone patients when critical cases surge simultaneously.
The department noted that total waiting times can also be affected by the time needed for blood tests, further examinations, and assessments by specialist teams, NST reported.
To ease congestion, Penang Hospital is upgrading space at its Outpatient Department block to expand treatment areas and integrate patient flow from the emergency department. The work is expected to be completed by the end of this year and will provide a more comfortable waiting environment, particularly for elderly and special-needs patients.
For the longer term, the Women and Children Block, expected to be completed by the end of 2027, will include a larger and more comfortable Emergency and Trauma Department. Another block for specialist clinics and wards is targeted for completion in 2029.
Dr Zulhizzam also urged those with mild or non-emergency symptoms to seek treatment at nearby health clinics to help reduce congestion at the emergency department. Health clinics across Penang handle a wide range of non-critical conditions, including fever, minor infections, and chronic disease management, and are designed for shorter consultation waits.
Penang Hospital is the main public tertiary hospital in the state, serving a population of over 1.8 million. Its emergency department handles hundreds of cases daily, with demand spiking during public holidays and monsoon seasons. The hospital has faced recurring complaints about waiting times, though health authorities have previously pointed to staffing constraints and an increasing patient load as contributing factors.
