Doctors at Ranau Hospital in Sabah are reportedly facing mounting pressure as a shortage of medical staff leaves just eight doctors to handle more than 100 patients a day.
The situation was highlighted by Public Health Malaysia, which shared an account from someone claiming to work at the hospital. According to the account, the hospital previously had 19 doctors, but the number has since dropped to eight, leaving the remaining staff struggling to keep up with daily demands.
Exhaustion raises concerns over patient safety
The doctor claimed that medical staff have been working shifts lasting between 48 and 72 hours, followed by only five to 15 hours of rest.
Even those short breaks do not necessarily mean they can fully switch off, as they must remain available in case patients need to be transferred elsewhere. The doctor also said no one on the team had managed to take a full day off in the past month. Such working conditions have raised concerns about whether exhausted doctors can maintain their usual level of concentration while treating patients.
Public Health Malaysia pointed out that prolonged sleep deprivation can affect a person’s ability to focus and increase the risk of mistakes, particularly in a demanding environment where decisions can have serious consequences.
Public reminded to show understanding
Amid the reported shortage, the public has been urged to show patience when seeking medical attention. Long waits at the emergency department or brief interactions with visibly tired doctors may frustrate patients, but Public Health Malaysia reminded people that healthcare workers are also struggling under difficult circumstances.
The page also discouraged the public from recording tired medical staff and posting the footage online without considering the pressures they face.
While the timeline for resolving the reported shortage remains unclear, the account has drawn attention to the challenges faced by medical workers who continue caring for patients despite limited staffing and demanding hours.
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