CORONAVIRUS | Higher Education Minister Noraini Ahmad donning personal protective equipment (PPE) was in line with mandatory regulation during her visit to a Covid-19 laboratory, said UiTM Private Specialist Centre (PPUiTM) Sungai Buloh.
The centre said her visit was also part of the ministry’s initiatives and efforts to lessen the workload faced by the Health Ministry in combating the Covid-19 novel coronavirus pandemic in Malaysia.
These were stated in a media statement issued by the centre today, in response to Noraini courting flak from netizens when pictures of her donning the PPE gear during the visit went viral.
“It is a mandatory rule that must be followed by all visitors entering the laboratory to wear PPE. This is for safety. The Institute of Medical Molecular Biotechnology of PPUiTM (IMMB) always emphasize issues of health and safeguarding of health for individuals who enter the lab and PPE has been specially reserved for permitted visitors.
“Permitted visitors” refer to individuals with interest only, who are important individuals who are needed to enter the laboratory to obtain information, evaluate and identify any improvements that can be implemented,” PPUiTM Sungai Buloh said.
The centre said among the objectives of Noraini’s visit was to hear and determine the problems, constraints and issues faced by PPUiTM, especially about the Covid-19 Special Laboratory Team with the hope that a resolution can be found by bringing the matter to the higher-ups (prime minister, National Security Council, Health Ministry, among others).
“The issues or constraints identified directly by the minister would be an advantage for PPUiTM because the minister has much closer access and relationship with the higher administration of the country.
“The Covid-19 testing capacity (for the laboratory) may be increased with the efforts and initiatives of the minister,” the centre said.
It also said Noraini was able to meet with the frontliners and giving them moral support so that they can remain steadfast, committed and continue to be “istiqamah” (go straight in the right direction, act rightly and allow no deviation) in executing their duties to the fullest.
“It becomes the responsibility of the KPT (Higher Education) minister to take notes, know and determine whatever activities that take place in public universities, especially activities involved in the effort to help the Health Ministry tackle the Covid-19 outbreak.
“PPUiTM is among the centres with outstanding initiative and continues to move ahead with collaboration with other agencies to strengthen efforts to combat Covid-19. The minister was concerned and regarded seriously these efforts and cooperation, and she felt satisfied that she could view the efforts being made,” the centre said.
It was reported that some netizens took Noraini to task for visiting the laboratory during the movement control order period and for using the PPE when there is a shortage of such equipment for frontliners treating Covid-19 patients.
Several doctors also raised their concern over VIPs using PPEs, including cardiologist Dr Beni Rusani who said the items should be reserved for healthcare workers. - Mkini
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