{
  "id": 2396533,
  "title": "Penang Health Dept apologises over long waits at hospital ER",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/penang-health-dept-apologises-over-long-waits-at-hospital-er",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-21T14:51:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/08/1516231/penang-health-dept-apologises-over-long-waits-hospital-er"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Penang Health Department has apologized for lengthy waiting times at Penang Hospital's Emergency and Trauma Department following a viral social media video posted on August 20. Director Dr Zulhizzam Abdullah explained that patients are triaged based on the severity of their conditions, with critical cases receiving immediate treatment, while non-emergency cases await lower-priority care. During peak hours, particularly late at night, treatment is prioritized for critical and semi-critical patients, potentially causing delays for those in the Green Zone with mild symptoms. Factors such as blood tests, further examinations, and specialist assessments can also contribute to extended wait times. To alleviate congestion, Penang Hospital is upgrading its Outpatient Department space, which is expected to be completed by year-end. This will create additional treatment areas and improve patient flow within the emergency department, offering a more comfortable waiting environment, especially for elderly and special-needs patients. Additionally, the construction of the Women and Children's Block and the Specialist Clinics and Wards project are underway, with completion projected by the end of 2027 and 2029, respectively. These new facilities will provide increased treatment capacity, modern amenities, and a more conducive working environment to meet patient demand. The state Health Department and Penang Hospital are committed to delivering equitable and high-quality healthcare, and those with mild or non-emergency symptoms are advised to seek treatment at the nearest health clinic to reduce emergency department congestion.",
  "summary": "GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Health Department has apologised for long waiting times at Penang Hospital’s Emergency and Trauma Department following a viral video posted on social media.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}