KUCHING: The Sarawak State Health Department (JKN Sarawak) has refuted claims circulating on social media that a patient at the Sarawak Heart Centre (PJS) experienced delays in receiving treatment due to a lack of on-duty cardiologists during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holiday.
In a statement issued today, JKN Sarawak addressed a viral Facebook post dated 30 March, which alleged that a patient had to wait an extended period before being treated by a specialist.
The department clarified that investigations conducted alongside hospital authorities found these claims to be false.
According to official medical records, the patient in question was referred by a private hospital for further treatment at PJS on March 28.
The patient arrived at the PJS Emergency Department at 1 am on March 29, and was immediately attended to by an emergency medical officer at 1.10 am.
“The case was then referred to a cardiology medical officer who was attending to another critically-ill patient at the time,” the statement read.
“At 4.33 am, following consultation with an on-call consultant cardiologist, the patient was admitted to a specialised ward for further treatment.”
Later that morning, at 9.30 am, the patient was re-examined by a consultant cardiologist alongside a cardiology medical officer and the nursing team during routine ward rounds.
JKN Sarawak emphasised that these rounds are conducted daily, irrespective of public holidays or regular working days.
The department categorically denied claims that the patient was only treated after the social media post gained traction.
It also urged the public to verify information with official sources before sharing unverified claims, warning that misinformation could mislead the public and erode trust in healthcare services.
“JKN Sarawak values public concerns and feedback, and remains committed to delivering high-quality, efficient healthcare services that prioritise patient safety and well-being,” the statement concluded.
