In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic that has gripped the world, Macau remains one of the most resilient cities fighting the rise of coronavirus cases. The global health threat has spread to every continent except Antarctica as revealed by the World Health Organization (WHO). As we remain vigilant, we compiled certain facts from the WHO and Macau Health Bureau to keep all our readers informed. Macau Lifestyle Media strives to ensure that all information reported is accurate at the time of writing but for extra information and updates, please check accredited sources.
What is a coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that may cause illness in animals or humans. In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19.
What is COVID-19? And what are the symptoms?
COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. The new virus and disease were unknown before December 2019. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell. Most people recover from the disease without needing special treatment. About two percent of people with the disease have died. People with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.
How does COVID-19 spread?
People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch it by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. People can also catch the disease if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets. This is why it is important to stay more than three feet (one meter) away from a person who is sick.
It’s understandable that you may feel stressed and anxious about the situation. However, it’s better to get the facts to help you accurately determine your risks so that you can take reasonable precautions. Your healthcare provider, national public health authority and employer are all potential sources of accurate information on COVID-19 and whether it is in your area. It is important to be informed of the situation where you live and take appropriate measures to protect yourself.
The Macao SAR government affirms its commitment to the highest standard of medical and healthcare quality to safeguard the health of the public. Medical and health services providers in the city are classified as governmental or non-governmental. The former includes government health centers for primary healthcare and Conde S. Januario Hospital, which provides specialist medical services. Here are the hospitals in Macau providing basic and primary health care services to the people of Macau.
Conde de S. Januário General Hospital
Conde de S. Januário General Hospital is a public hospital established in 1874 and has a long history in the healthcare sector embedded in Macau’s identity and welfare through the years. It offers diversified medical services to cater for the rapidly growing population of Macau. The present hospital consists of four blocks–the Internal Medicine and Surgical Building, the Gynaecological and Paediatric Building, the Outpatient Building and the Emergency Service Building. It covers an area of 30,963 square meters and a gross floor area of 72,358 square meters.
It’s also helpful to know that Conde de S. Januário General Hospital has an extension in the Psychiatric Centre in Taipa. Housed in a four-story building comprising elements of medicine, rehabilitation, forensic psychiatry, and education, Conde de S. Januário General Hospital has transformed itself into a large and modern integrated hospital. By offering emergency services, outpatient services, inpatient services, surgical services, rehabilitation and day hospital care, together with the recently opened Dementia Medical Centre and the Child Assessment Centre, it is at the forefront of medicine in the region. You’ll find comfort knowing that the Emergency Department mainly consists of four emergency units: General Emergency, Paediatric Emergency, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Emergency, and Island Emergency Station. It is committed to providing 24-hour emergency services to critically ill patients, injured persons, and pregnant women, among others.
This hospital provides 24-hour emergency services and contact +853 8390 3600 for urgent matters
Conde de S. Januário General Hospital Estrada do Visconde de S. Januário, +853 2831 3731
Kiang Wu Hospital
Kiang Wu Hospital is a privately owned hospital situated in Santo António, Macau. Founded in 1871, the hospital is run by the Kiang Wu Charitable Association and offers Chinese medical services. The prominent doctor Sun Yat-Sen brought Western medicine services to the hospital. As of 2016 according to its data, the hospital had over 340 doctors and over 800 nurses. The doctors were trained at universities in Mainland China and Taiwan, with about one-third each graduating from the School of Medicine at Jinan University and the Zhongshan School of Medicine. The nurses also earned certificates in nursing at schools in Mainland China, at Macao Polytechnic Institute, and at Kiang Wu.
This hospital provides 24-hour emergency services
Kiang Wu Hospital Estrada Coelho do Amaral, Macau, +853 2837 1333
Macau University of Science and Technology Hospital
Macau University of Science and Technology Hospital is also known as MUST hospital or University Hospital. Located in the Cotai area of Macau, it first opened in 2006 and is run by the Macau University of Science and Technology Foundation. The hospital focuses on both Chinese and Western medicine.
Nestled on the campus of Macau University of Science and Technology, the University Hospital aims to provide high-quality healthcare and top-notch medicine services. With advanced medical facilities, the patients are reassured in a safe and comfortable environment. This institution is also the teaching arm of the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Chinese Medicine and the School of Pharmacy. This makes it the only hospital in Macau fully supported by advanced academic faculties. The in-patient department provides various types of room, from the semi-private room, private room and VIP room, all to suit every patients’ needs.
The outpatient services are open from 9:00am to 9:00pm from Monday to Sunday including public holidays
University Hospital Block H, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, Macau, +853 2882 1838, www.uh.org.mo
Macau Yinkui Hospital
Macau Yinkui Hospital is a private hospital located on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors of the FIT Centre in Macau. It opened in 2014 and provides outpatient and specialist outpatient services. Boasting a comprehensive and advanced medical equipment and medical support team, they have comprehensive specialist services in pediatrics, gynecology, urology, orthopedics, and more.
Their cardiology department offers advanced medical equipment in patient diagnosis, screening, treatment, and consultation. These include ECG, echocardiography, treadmill ECG, 24-hour Holter, and CT coronary angiography services and more for further cardiac examination assessment. Their operating theatre also complies with international standards of High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filter (HEPA filter) and Olympus Imaging System. They have a post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) for support and Centre Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) to complete disinfection and sterilization. The hospital takes pride in a comfortable ward, that’s patient-oriented combined with high-quality medical services for patients in need of surgery or examination.
Outpatient services are available from Monday to Sunday from 9:00am to 7:00pm and closed on public holidays
Macau Yinkui Hospital Avenida Doutor Mario Soares N.°320, Finance and IT Center of Macau, 2 e 3 andar, 4 andar B e C, Macau, +853 2832 2283, www.yinkui.com.mo
Primary Healthcare Outpatient Services
Areia Preta Health Center or Hac Sa Wan Health Centre (Areia Preta)
Where: Rua Central da Areia Preta, Lote de Terra 18, Macau
Opening hours: Mondays to Fridays, 8:30am–10:00pm
Contact: +853 2841 3178
Coloane Health Station
Where: Largo Do Presidente António Ramalho Eanes, Coloane
Opening hours: Mondays to Fridays, 8:30am–6:00pm; Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays (only nursing), 9:00am–1:00pm
Seac Pai Van (Coloane) Temporary Health Station
Where: Lote CN4 de Seac Pai Van de Coloane, Edifício Lok Kuan, Bloco 5, r/c, Coloane
Opening hours: Mondays to Fridays, 8:30am–8:00pm; Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays (only nursing), 9:00am–1:00pm
Contact: +853 2850 2001
Macau Oriental Health Center (Tap Seac) or Tap Seac Health Centre
Where: Avenida do Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida, Macau
Opening hours: Mondays to Fridays, 8:30am–10:00pm; Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays (only nursing), 9:00am–1:00pm
Contact: +853 2852 2232
North Health Center (Fai Chi Kei) or Fai Chi Kei Health Centre
Address: Avenida Marginal do Patane, n.˚ 929, Macau
Opening hours: Mondays to Fridays: 8:30am–10:00pm; Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays (only nursing), 9:00am–1:00pm
Contact: +853 2856 2922
Porto Interior Health Center or Hoi Pong Health Centre (Porto Interior)
Where: Address: Rua de Constantino Brito, n˚.11, 4.º a 7.º andar, Macau
Opening hours: Mondays to Fridays: 8:30am–8:00pm; Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays (only nursing), 9:00am–1:00pm
Contact: +853 2892 0024, +853 2892 0025
S. Lourenço Health Center or Fong Son Tong Health Centre (S. Lourenço)
Where: Travessa de Inácio Baptista, n.˚ 2, Edf. “San Tou Kok”, Bloco 2, R/C, Macau
Opening hours: Mondays to Fridays, 8:30am–8:00pm; Scheduled and non-scheduled outpatient services are available from 6:00pm–8:00pm); Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays (only nursing), 9:00am–1:00pm
Contact: +853 2831 3418
Taipa Health Center or Nossa Senhora do Carmo – Lago Health Centre
Where: Área A, 1.º andar do Edifício do Lago, Estrada Coronel Nicolau de Mesquita da Taipa , Macau
Opening hours: Mondays to Fridays, 8:30am–8:00pm; Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays (only nursing), 9:00am–1:00pm
Contact: +853 2850 0400
Ocean Gardens Health Centre
Where: Avenida dos Jardins do Oceano, Taipa
Opening hours: Mondays to Fridays: 8:30am–10:00pm; Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays (only nursing), 9:00am–1:00pm
Contact: +853 2881 3089
Ilha Verde Health Centre
Where: Rua Nova da Ilha Verde, Edifício Cheng I, Bloco I, R/C
Opening hours: Mondays to Fridays: 8:30am–8:00pm; Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays (only nursing), 9:00am–1:00pm
Contact: +853 2831 0033
For more information on primary healthcare outpatient services, click here
FACTS TO KNOW
- Fees – Macau residents are eligible to free primary healthcare services provided in Health Centres subordinated to the Health Bureau. They only need to present the Macau SAR Resident Identity Card. Macau residents who are referred from a Health Centre to Conde de São Januário General Hospital for ancillary examination are also exempted from payment. Non-Macau residents are subject to payment according to the scale of fees imposed by the Health Bureau
- Processing Time – The outpatient check-in procedure usually takes within 15 minutes when the service user arrives at the check-in counter as scheduled.
- General conditions – Each health center only provides services to residents who are residing (including working or studying) within its service coverage area. However, cross-community service will also be provided under special circumstances.
Basic Protective Measures Against The COVID-19
The best way to battle the COVID-19 outbreak is by staying aware of the latest information. Details are constantly available on the WHO website and through local public health authorities. Most people who become infected experience mild illness and recover, but it can be more severe for others. Take care of your health and protect others by doing the following:
- Wash your hands frequently. Do this regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
- Maintain social distancing. Maintain at least one meter (three feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain the virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.
- Practice respiratory hygiene. Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
- If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early on. Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent the spread of viruses and other infections.
- Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19. Follow the advice given by your healthcare provider, national and local public health authority or employer on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. These are the entities that have the most up to date information on whether COVID-19 is spreading in your area. They are the best sources of advice for people in your area on what they should be doing to protect themselves.
For more details, visit www.gov.mo
For facts on COVID-19, visit the official page of the World Health Organization
Reference information for this article includes Statistic and Census Service, World Health Organization and Macau Health Bureau
Also read: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Macau Hotels & Resorts Change Operating Hours
