NGOs to assist with house-to-house Covid-19 vaccination

 

Non-government organisations (NGOs) will be roped in to assist the Health Ministry in carrying out house-to-house Covid-19 vaccination.

The National Cancer Society Malaysia and Pertubuhan Malaysia Women's Action for Tobacco Control and Health, in a joint statement, said they along with other community service partners will be focusing on those who are unable to travel to Covid-19 vaccination centres.

"This segment of the vaccine outreach programme will involve house-to-house vaccination of severely ill patients, bed-bound patients and people with special abilities – including those with cancer and other chronic diseases who are unable to travel to public vaccination centres," they said.

The NGOs said they will commit their resources and mobilise volunteers for this purpose and are honoured to continue supporting the nation in its time of need.

“Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, we have worked continuously to ensure that all chronic disease patients including those with cancer have been able to continue receiving care, as well as to run many initiatives to provide care and comfort to them during this time.

"When the Health Ministry reached out to us to assist them in this initiative, we did not hesitate. Supporting vaccination of these members of the community will help us get our nation back on track quicker,” said National Cancer Society of Malaysia president S Saunthari said.

Pertubuhan Malaysian Women's Action for Tobacco Control and Health president Roslizwati Md Ali said they've been providing the Health Ministry with personal protective equipment and is prepared to assist in the vaccination efforts.

"Supporting the vaccination efforts is one of our country’s greatest needs at this time, and we are always ready to serve," she said.

The government had since last month worked to expand the Covid-19 vaccination efforts amid criticism that it was focussing too much on mega Covid-19 vaccination centres.

Since then, it had launched pilot programmes to test drive-through vaccination and mobile units.

It is also working to bring general practitioners on board despite some hiccups. - Mkini