Medical experts want to help govt
KUALA LUMPUR: Medical professionals are offering their assistance in dealing with Covid-19 cases at the homefront as the pandemic continues across the globe.
Public Health Specialist Association president Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin said the experts were standing by to extend their help to the government.
“We have doctors with Mercy (Medical Relief Society Malaysia) returning from China. They have first-hand experience in dealing with the outbreak.
“We have written a letter on Friday to the Health Ministry’s director-general (Datuk Noor Hisham Abdullah) and hope that the government would consider this (offer).
“Our association does not only comprise medical experts, but also those in academia, services, as well as civil society, who can help with risk communication and intervention.
“At the moment, we don’t see that much engagement between the government and professional bodies. We (the association) had a meeting this (yesterday) morning and would like to see, firstly, clear directions in managing the outbreak and secondly, the area they (the government is) keen (on) and need help. They can’t do it alone.
“We are approaching both Health and Home ministries, hoping to establish rapport with the government. We also want the public to get accurate information and not listen to rumours,” he said yesterday.
The association had also established a group called “Community Volunteers for Covid-19 (CVC-19)”, made up of professionals and laymen.
On the deployment of 1,000 housemen to help in normal cases while medical officers dealt with Covid-19 on the front line, Zainal said it was good exposure for the group.
“However, these housemen must be equipped with appropriate training. It is always good to have extra hands,” he said.