The Malaysian Health Coalition has called on the government and all Malaysians to care for healthcare providers sacrificing their lives in times of the current Covid-19 pandemic.
The coalition of 49 professional societies representing doctors, specialists, nurses, pharmacists and allied health professionals said this was as more frontliners experienced burnout from the spike in new infections.
"This trend is unsurprising because they have fought on the frontlines for nearly a year.
"We must perform our duty to care for them, as they are caring for us," said the groups in a statement.
Its call to the government covers three main areas - strengthening mental health and psychological support; listening to the pleas of frontline healthcare providers; and providing them with permanent posts and job security.
"Mental and emotional recovery from the pandemic will take time, so this infrastructure must be in place to ensure healthcare providers get the needed support for years to come," the coalition said.
The group also cited recent reports that quoted frontliners who made their struggles public, including two healthcare providers based at Sungai Buloh Hospital, one of Malaysia's largest Covid-19 dedicated facilities.
The Selangor Health Department, in response to the pleas from two healthcare providers, said there was a need for all sectors in the public health services to keep morale high among its personnel, amid the Covid-19 crisis.
The group, however, reiterated that the government must heed the calls for help and provide all healthcare providers with a safe and healthy working environment.
"Policymakers must remember that healthcare providers safety is patient safety," they stressed.
On job security, the groups reiterated their previous call for creating more permanent positions and an extension of contract duration for medical officers and other professionals.
"Our frontliners deserve to be recognised for their sacrifices.
"We must do so by securing their careers and consequently, the future of our health system," they said.
The current movement control order 2.0 has been extended until Feb 4 and Malaysia yesterday recorded a new record high of 4,275 new Covid-19 infections nationwide. - Mkini
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