Medical association disturbed by ministry’s stance on frontliners’ children

KUCHING: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has called the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development’s stand on the children of front-liners “disturbing”.

MMA president Dr N Ganabaskaran said in a statement on Sunday that the ministry should not subject the children of frontliners to discriminatory policies and practices.

He was referring to the updated Taska guidelines or standard operating procedure (SOP) from the ministry, which stated in Appendix 12, Section 2.1.2, that children of frontliners are a high-risk group and if sent to Taska must be isolated from other children.

“MMA finds it disturbing and is shocked that such a policy had been approved by the ministry concerned and circulated by the Welfare Department. It is unacceptable. Don’t discriminate against our frontliners. Treat their children fairly,” he said in a statement.

Dr Ganabaskaran said the Ministry of Health (MoH) should have been consulted regarding the SOP revised on May 22.

“The country is faced with a pandemic — a global pandemic. All ministries should be working closely with MoH,” he said.

MMA urged the ministry to consult MoH on the appropriate and recommended preventive measures for Taska in the country.

According to Dr Ganabaskaran, many frontliners were offended by the particular section of the Taska guidelines.

“We do hope the ministry concerned will swiftly address the matter with an appropriate response,” he added.