Cover image via 
Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp for the latest stories and breaking news.
A viral social media post highlighting congestion at the Ophthalmology Specialist Clinic at Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) has prompted a response from the hospital
On Monday, 27 April, an X user shared a photo showing a long line of patients, many of them elderly, standing in a hallway without seating, estimating that around 180 people were waiting.
"Inside, there isn't even one chair for them to sit. Horrendous and horrible beyond imagination," the user wrote.
He also raised concerns for healthcare workers managing the situation.
"My first thought is how the hospital medical personnel have to handle such an overwhelming overflow?" he said, adding that it is "beyond human capacity" to expect staff to cope with such volumes.
He further noted that while patients are struggling, healthcare workers may be facing daily stress and burnout, asking: "Who heals the healer?"
The post garnered over 2,000 likes and more than 100 comments, with many netizens expressing concern about overcrowding in public healthcare facilities and saying similar conditions are observed at specialist clinics nationwide.
In a statement the next day on 28 April, HKL said it is aware of the viral post and takes public concerns seriously
The hospital explained that its Ophthalmology Specialist Clinic is a major referral centre handling complex eye cases, with approximately 480 patient appointments and an average of 70 new referrals daily.
To manage patient flow, HKL said it has implemented a staggered appointment system.
"If patients arrive according to their designated slots, the average waiting time after registration is approximately 30 to 45 minutes before undergoing further procedures such as examinations and pupil dilation," it said, adding that total treatment time may take between four to six hours depending on clinical needs.
HKL also outlined several ongoing measures to ease congestion, including continuous clinic operations through staff rotation during lunch hours, optimising appointment scheduling, and improving patient flow within the clinic.
However, while HKL noted that delays may occur when patients do not strictly follow appointment times, it did not directly address broader concerns raised online about staffing levels or the long-term strain on healthcare workers
The hospital urged patients to adhere to their scheduled appointment times to ensure smoother service.
"HKL management is committed to continuously improving the quality of service delivery and highly appreciates every piece of feedback received," said its director, Datuk Dr Harikrishna KR Nair.
Kenyataan Media Hospital Kuala Lumpur
— KKMalaysia🇲🇾🩺❤️ (@KKMPutrajaya) April 28, 2026
Penjelasan Berhubung Kesesakan di Klinik Pakar Oftalmologi, Hospital Kuala Lumpur pic.twitter.com/1CKFWRpUkm
