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HTAR Responds to Viral Video Showing Pigeons Eating Patient’s Food Inside Hospital Ward

Aira Jailani

09/06/2026 | 14:43 MYT

TLDR

A viral video showed pigeons freely roaming inside a ward at a government hospital, including eating a patient’s food and leaving droppings behind.
The ward was also allegedly overcrowded, with 16 beds placed in a space reportedly meant for only eight, raising concerns over hygiene and congestion.
Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah (HTAR) has vowed to take immediate action by implementing bird control measures and working with local authorities.

A government hospital recently came under the spotlight after a video shared online showed a flock of pigeons roaming freely around a hospital ward.

In the viral video posted on Threads, the pigeons could also be seen perched on chairs and side tables while patients rested on their beds. One pigeon was also seen eating food meant for a patient.

Image Credit: Threads

According to the social media user, the pigeons had also left droppings around the ward. There were also claims of overcrowding, with 16 beds placed in a ward reportedly designed to accommodate only eight.

Needless to say, the video has sparked hygiene concerns among Malaysians. Others have also called on the authorities to improve conditions in government hospitals.

Image Credit: Threads

HTAR vows immediate action

In response to the viral video, Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR) has since issued a statement acknowledging the incident.

In a report by NST, HTAR said it would implement control measures and work closely with local authorities to strengthen efforts to curb the presence of pigeons around the hospital area.

“We will be implementing control measures, which include tree pruning by the concession company, as well as continuous monitoring of the ward area and hospital premises.”

Featured Image Credit: Threads