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Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah (HTAR) in Klang has responded after a video circulating on social media showed birds perched on a patient's bedside table and eating leftover food from a tray
In the video shared on Threads on Monday, 8 June, the user claimed that the footage had already been widely circulated on WhatsApp.
"This is Klang General Hospital," they wrote. "The ward is overcrowded with 16 beds when there should only be eight, and on top of that, pigeons are eating patients' food and leaving droppings everywhere. What's happening?"
The post has since garnered over 500,000 views, with many netizens expressing concern over hygiene and safety
Several also claimed they had witnessed similar situations when visiting admitted family members.
"A few weeks ago, when I visited my cousin, I noticed it. I asked the nurse about it, and she told me this was already normal in a sad tone," one netizen commented.
"It's true, guys. I had to deal with birds in the ward for a whole week. So many of them would fly in during the evenings," another person claimed.
"People keep saying public healthcare is cheap or subsidised, but that doesn't mean patients deserve conditions like this. We are still human beings and deserve proper hygiene, safety, and dignity when seeking treatment. No patient should be recovering in a ward shared with pigeons," wrote another user.
In a statement issued the same day, HTAR acknowledged the issue and said it is taking steps to address it
According to the hospital, pigeons and crows have made the trees surrounding the hospital grounds their habitat, increasing the likelihood of birds accidentally entering the buildings.
"To address this matter, HTAR has implemented periodic control measures, including tree pruning by concession companies, as well as continuous monitoring in ward areas and hospital buildings.
"In addition, HTAR is collaborating with local authorities to strengthen efforts to control bird nuisances within the hospital compound," the statement read.
The hospital added that it takes the matter seriously and remains committed to maintaining a safe, clean, and conducive environment for patients, visitors, and staff.
"All appropriate measures will continue to be carried out from time to time to reduce the risk of such incidents recurring," it assured.
