MMA: Prioritise private GPs, dentists in vaccination programme
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has urged the Special Committee on Covid-19 vaccine to list all healthcare workers directly exposed to risk of Covid-19 under Category 1 and vaccinated concurrently in Phase 1 of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP).
MMA president Professor Datuk Dr Subramaniam Muniandy said general practitioners (GPs), private specialist clinics and dentists are currently listed under Category 2 along with defence and security forces, police personnel, primary and secondary school teachers and other essential services personnel.
“Private GPs and many private specialist clinics are usually the first point of care for patients with symptoms of Severe Acute Respiratory Illness and Influenza-Like Illness, the most common symptoms in patients infected with Covid-19.
“A number of GPs and their staff have been infected with Covid-19 from exposure to patients with these symptoms who were later found to be
Covid-19 positive.
“Some clinics had to shut down for 14 days as a result because the GP and their staff had to be quarantined.
“The GPs are also currently conducting mass and community Covid-19 screenings, which puts them at increased risk of infection.
“Placing GPs in Category 2 of the guidelines under the Covid-19 NIP shows they are not being recognised as an integral part of the mainstream healthcare system and will only delay efforts to bring the pandemic under control,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Similarly, he said, dentists and their staff are also exposed to risk of Covid-19 as patients seeing them will need to remove their face mask to be examined and treated.
Therefore, he said, the Special Committee on Covid-19 vaccine supply should review its categorisation of frontliners and list all healthcare workers directly exposed to risk of Covid-19 under Category 1, in line with the World
Health Organisation’s call to accelerate vaccine equity for all healthcare workers.
“MMA is aware that vaccinations for Categories 1 and 2 are planned to roll out concurrently but it is not reflected at the ground level.
“With the NIP decentralised to the respective state health departments, closer engagement and improved communication with the private healthcare sector is needed for better coordination and to prevent any confusion.”
Covid-19 has been the worst pandemic that the world has faced in our lifetime, causing more deaths and suffering than all the world wars combined. Therefore, we must reform our healthcare system and build more hospitals with adequate healthcare workers and experts, as well as give more funding for research and public health.
It is unlikely to see things returning to what it was anytime soon. The National Employment
Council will create 500,000 employment opportunities this year. With such opportunities from the government, it is hoped that the people will not be choosy and will try new things.
ANSARI B. A. ANGKANGON Travel guide from Sabah
As a small businessman, I am grateful for the assistance given by the government under the stimulus packages, especially for those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Since the pandemic hit the country, many of us suffered losses and were even forced to cease operations, but with the aid given by the government, we will continue to survive.
MOHD AIMAN ARIPIN Businessman from Bunut Payong, Kelantan
I am happy that finally the problems faced by my siblings and my friends might soon be solved. They have lost their jobs due to the pandemic and have been unsuccessful in searching for new jobs since last year. The PM’s promises will be a bright light to the jobless, especially the young.
MOHD SAIFULLAH ZAKARIA Salesman from Panji,Kelantan
We know that the government is concerned about us and we are happy that it is doing its best to reduce the socio-economic gap. The move to eradicate hardcore poverty will be welcomed by many people.
DR TIMOTHY WILLIAM
Infectious diseases consultant, Sabah
NOOR HIDAYAH ABDUL WAHAB
Kindergarten teacher from Kota Baru, Kelantan