Stop finding fault, focus on improving the system

THERE are many lessons after one year of fighting Covid-19. Therefore, the Malaysian Health Coalition strongly urges the government to continuously improve our healthcare system, avoid the blame game, and keep the rakyat informed of its long-term plans.

We strongly urge the following:

> Provide context for Covid-19 data: After one year, the rakyat is reliant on the data provided daily by the Health Ministry. However, the numbers provided are void of context and do not paint the whole picture.

We cannot know the true extent of the pandemic nor the capacity of our healthcare system from the little information provided. The government must ensure that information on the pandemic empowers the rakyat and does not cause panic. We reiterate our call to improve health data transparency.

> Embrace continuous improvement: After one year, decision-makers must focus on the continuous improvement of our pandemic management and healthcare systems instead of assigning blame for any errors or weaknesses.

We refer here to the recent admission of a backlog dating back to December 2020 (as reported in the media on Jan 30, 2021). In a multiyear pandemic, we understand that errors are inevitable.

However, the government must implement a solutions-based approach of corrective and preventive actions to manage the pandemic, not be punitive or shift blame.

> Strengthen federal-state and public-private coordination: After one year, there must be more effective coordination efforts between federal and state government agencies as well as the public and private sectors.

We support the public-private partnership between hospitals to manage the influx of Covid-19 patients. The government must not wait until the last moment to broker such collaborations. There must be proactive cooperation at all levels of government to ensure that all stakeholders are contributing to the national pandemic strategy.

The movement control order has been extended until Feb 18. But it will all be for nothing if the government does not seize this time to strengthen its longterm plan and continually improve the healthcare system.

MALAYSIAN HEALTH COALITION

Note: This letter was signed by 48 medical and health-related organisations. The full signature list can be viewed at myhealthcoalition.org.