MINISTRY TO DEPLOY 1,000 HOUSEMEN
They will carry out normal duties at hospitals nationwide while doctors tackle Covid-19 infections
WITH Europe identified as the epicentre of the Covid-19 outbreak and a state of national emergency declared by the United States, authorities in Malaysia are mobilising all efforts to stem the flow of infections.
Starting tomorrow, 1,000 housemen will be deployed to hospitals nationwide to ease the burden of doctors dealing with the Covid-19 outbreak.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said the deployment would begin with a five-day induction course.
“The housemen will be tasked with treating normal cases since most doctors at the hospitals are dealing with the Covid-19 outbreak.”
He said the course would include elements on how to handle the outbreak.
Dr Adham said this after visiting Permai Hospital, one of the hospitals designated to treat Covid-19 cases, in Johor Baru yesterday.
Present were state Environment and Health Committee chairman R. Vidyananthan and state health director Dr Aman Rabu.
Dr Adham said the ministry had sought the assistance of the Home Ministry to deploy Civil Defence Force (APM) and People’s Volunteer Force (Rela) personnel to all entry points to monitor visitors coming into into the country.
“This is because we need our public health personnel to conduct tracing and surveillance. We will start in Johor before expanding it nationwide.”
He reiterated the government’s directive for the public to avoid mass gatherings to prevent the spread of the virus.
“Any event involving more than 50 people is considered a mass gathering, so the public should avoid it. If they need to go to these gatherings, they should practise personal hygiene and respect the social distance of one metre.”
Dr Adham said 508 people in Johor who attended the tabligh gathering at Masjid Jamek Seri Petaling had come forward to be tested for Covid-19.
“Of that total, 13 are patients under investigation (PUI). In Johor, 21 patients have tested positive for Covid-19, 73 are PUI, while eight have recovered and were discharged.”
He said the Health Ministry had directed all hospitals to limit visiting hours.
“I hope private hospitals follow suit and limit their visiting hours.”
The Women and Family Ministry has been tasked with providing assistance to Malaysians living abroad, especially in Iran and Italy, who will return home soon.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun, said this followed the government’s decision to bring home Malaysians living in the two countries, which were badly affected by the Covid-19 outbreak.
She said the assistance included providing food, drinks, clothes, daily essentials and other items, keeping a record of those under surveillance and coordinating the distribution of aid from non-governmental organisations, companies and individuals.
She said the ministry would also address complaints from Malaysians afflicted by Covid-19 and offer counselling to their family members.
Rina said the government decided to bring home 428 Malaysians, of whom 363 are residing in Italy and 65 in Iran.
“The Welfare Department will deploy personnel, including those who were involved in missions to evacuate Malaysians in Wuhan (China) and assisting them during the quarantine period.
“The ministry commends the commitment of these personnel, who disregard the risks they are facing in fulfilling their duties to the nation.”
She said the ministry would allocate incentives for the personnel as an appreciation of their sacrifice and commitment.
It is learnt that a special flight will be deployed to evacuate Malaysians residing in Iran and Italy.
The government has brought back 107 Malaysians from the affected countries.