Covid-19: Medical experts call on govt to implement a more targeted MCO to prevent fourth wave of infections

‘The government has been urged to implement a more targeted movement control order (MCO) with mass targeted testing to prevent a fourth wave of Covid-19 infections. The Health and Sciences Covid-19 Advisory Group of Experts (EAG) said the government should prioritise mitigating the spread of the virus as it was no longer realistic to try and get infection rates down to zero. 

‘It said all resources must be focused on enhancing the implementation of targeted MCOs. It recommended that all MCO areas must fully employ the digitised find, test, trace, isolation, and support (FTTIS) system, which includes the proposed targeted mass testing strategy. "A highly targeted MCO will minimise economic disruption, on top of reducing the spread of Covid-19, balancing the wellbeing of both lives and livelihoods.

"State and district health authorities must be empowered to work with external experts and determine clear and transparent thresholds for when an area should be placed under MCO. The thresholds should be defined according to population density, number of cases, and geo-characteristics of the area, and communicated clearly to the public," it said in a statement on Sunday (April 25).

‘EAG comprises representatives from the Academy of Medicine of Malaysia, Malaysian Medical Association, Malaysian Public Health Physicians Association, and the Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia, as well as two distinguished members of the medical fraternity. It is chaired by former director-general of Health and International Medical University chairman Tan Sri Datuk Dr Abu Bakar Suleiman.’

Read here (The Star, Apr 25, 2021)

Covid-19 - Improve management of mild cases, close contacts: MMA

‘Improvements are urgently needed in the Health Ministry's handling of mild cases of Covid-19 (category 1 and 2) and their close contacts to eliminate confusion and prevent possible flouting of the home quarantine SOPs which can lead to an increase in community transmissions. The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) once again urges the Health Ministry to revert to its earlier policy of testing all close contacts. The Health Ministry's current policy is to only test symptomatic close contacts.

‘In its preventive measures, only isolating them will not be sufficient. The health status of all close contacts should be established early or there can be a risk of infections spreading among family members in the household and into the community if they breach the quarantine. Screening close contacts will also improve management of early symptoms of Covid-19.

‘MMA had earlier proposed that the government consider roping in the private sector doctors to test close contacts if it is faced with a shortage in manpower.’

Read here (Malaysiakini, Feb 6, 2021)

Covid-19: Thank you, Agong, for declaring national state of Emergency — Malaysian Medical Association

‘The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) wishes to thank His Majesty Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah for declaring a national state of Emergency to bring the Covid-19 situation in the country under control.

‘We also support the government’s decision to implement the second MCO in six states — most affected by the surge in cases of Covid-19, the CMCO in six other states and the RMCO in Perlis and Sarawak. MMA will provide support in any way it can to assist the Health Ministry and the government manage the Covid-19 situation in the country. We urge the public to give their full support by fully adhering to the MCO’s SOPs that will be announced this evening.

‘A second MCO is indeed necessary as cases of Covid-19 have been consistently on the rise with no sign of improvement. There is also spread in the community and the infection rate has not come down from the current RO of between 1.1 and 1.2. There is also concern over the B117 Covid-19 strain known as the UK strain that has been detected in the country...’

Read here (Malay Mail, Jan 12, 2021)

MMA says private healthcare underutilised in battle against Covid-19

‘The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has called on the government to incorporate private healthcare in its fight against Covid-19, saying that the sector's capabilities are being underutilised. "Our government healthcare facilities should not be taking on this battle all on its own. Private healthcare, an important component in our country’s overall healthcare system, can be an added strength in managing Covid-19 but is still underutilised.’

Read here (Malaysiakini, Nov 23, 2020)

Use emergency funds for Sabah’s Covid-19 fight as donations will be slower, doctors tell federal govt

‘The federal government should allow emergency funds to be used for resources and equipment to tackle Sabah’s Covid-19 situation, the Malaysian Medical Association said today. MMA president Professor Datuk Dr Subramaniam Muniandy cautioned that waiting for donations for Sabah’s Covid-19 fight would not be time-effective when there is an urgent need for more medical resources in the state.’

Read here (Malay Mail, Oct 18, 2020)

Decentralise to manage increasing cases of Covid-19 — MMA

‘Now is the time to decentralise communication channels, ensure that each state take ownership of the exploding pandemic and are able to act independently with speed in their own jurisdictions’. MMA (Malaysian Medical Association) suggests the following:

1. State Crisis Command Centres to coordinate all activities and ensure needs of the state are met on all fronts.
2. NGOs and public are coordinated to assist the state efforts.
3. All relevant data including equipment, manpower, bed strength, testing capacity etc are displayed on the State Command centre dashboard for stakeholders to coordinate, in particular to include data on shortages and needs.
4. Private sector hospitals, clinics and doctors are engaged in the fight against the pandemic.
5. For federal government to channel all support urgently including funds, resources and manpower.

Read here (Malay Mail, Oct 8, 2020)

MMA: Public now the ‘frontliners’ in Covid-19 fight

‘Members of the public will now play the most important role in combating the Covid-19 pandemic, says the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA). Its president Dr N. Ganabaskaran said with the announcement of the conditional movement control order (MCO) by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, the public must remain vigilant as the health crisis continues.

“As most businesses will resume operations on Monday (May 4), the public will now play the most important role in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic... The general public must now take on the role as frontliners, in battling the pandemic in public places by being disciplined in observing social distancing, personal hygiene and comply with the standard operating procedures (SOP) at all times or we can easily slip back into the ‘old norm’.’’

Read here (The Star, May 1, 2020)

MMA voices concern on discrimination against healthcare workers

‘The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has raised concerns over what it says are discriminatory practices against healthcare workers due to Covid-19. The MMA said it was informed that a condominium in Petaling Jaya had segregated the use of its lifts to "protect other residents from getting infected with Covid-19".

‘While we welcome the regular cleaning of common areas and temperatures of residents being taken upon entry as precautionary steps, the segregation of residents for shared facilities such as lifts is unnecessary and smacks of discrimination against our healthcare workers,’ says MMA president Dr N Ganabaskaran said in a statement.

Read here (Malaysiakini, April 25, 2020)

Consider 10-year contract extension for public medical officers: MMA

‘The government is urged to consider the contract extension of up to 10 years for the Health Ministry’s medical officers to facilitate absorption as permanent staff... The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) is asking for the extension “to allow for specialisation and gazettement before absorption as permanent staff for successful specialists to provide the much-needed services to the country.”

Read here (Malaysiakini, April 16, 2020)

Top physicians pen letter to PM calling for gradual relaxation of MCO

‘The president of the Malaysian Medical Association and 12 predecessors have penned an open letter to Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin calling for a gradual relaxation of the movement control order (MCO) measures currently being implemented to combat the spread of Covid-19.’

Read here (Malaysiakini, April 10, 2020)

For the record: MMA's open letter to the Rt Honourable Prime Minister of Malaysia

This letter, signed by the president of the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), and 12 past ones, says ‘a stepwise relaxation of movement control will be the way forward. For instance, businesses may be allowed to operate with strict guidelines on how many people can be on the premises. Public transport may have to operate with limited loads, with frequent disinfection. Solitary public exercise will have to be permitted, to allow for mental and physical health issues. In all cases, strict hand hygiene and physical distancing must be observed, with masks if necessary. Interstate travel may need to be restricted, but will have to be prioritised for economic needs rather than personal.’

Read here (MMA, April 9, 2020)