'Large-scale public sanitisation a waste, not based on latest scientific findings'

 

The Malaysian Public Health Physicians' Association (PHPA) has become the latest party to join the fray over the effectiveness of large-scale public sanitisation exercises in preventing Covid-19 infection.

In a statement, the association criticised such measures as not based on the latest scientific findings, and is only a waste of resources if not done in a targeted manner.

The chemicals used in sanitisation operations are also feared to be harmful to the public, it added.

"PHPA recommends that before any sanitisation works or large-scale operations that involve the people's health, the Health Ministry should engage its advice first.

"In this fight to break the chain of Covid-19 infections, all ministries cannot work alone or in a silo anymore without getting advice from those with the expertise in the field.

"Cooperation and sharing of resources among ministries are very important at this critical time. All the expenses can be channelled to other more specific uses, especially in ensuring self-protection and reinforcing the healthcare system, which is now at a critical stage," said PHPA president Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar.

Since last weekend, medical experts have been on a warpath with the Fire and Rescue Department and Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin over the latter's public sanitisation exercises.

Zuraida and the department's director-general had defended the exercise after infectious diseases expert Prof Adeeba Kamarulzaman hinted that the department's large-scale two-day disinfection works at 284 locations nationwide over the weekend was a waste of limited resources.

Adeeba replied with the latest guidelines from the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that advised against large-scale sanitisation as a Covid-19 prevention measure. Public health expert Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman later came to her support, questioning the wisdom and efficacy of carrying out sanitisation operations.

Targeted efforts

According to Zainal, while large-scale sanitisation still has some benefits to lower the virus level in the environment, he stressed that such activities must only be done in a targeted manner at closed areas, where there is no proper ventilation.

"The local community or workers in an area must also agree before a sanitisation activity is conducted because, among these people, there are those who are not fit like asthma patients or those who suffer from dermatitis, where such activity can worsen their health conditions.

"The environment and properties could also be affected with the use of chlorine or other chemicals in such sanitisation exercises," he added.  - Mkini