Klang MP demands action after 17 of 24 at home for elderly die of Covid

 

After a private home for the elderly in Klang saw 17 of its 24 residents pass away due to Covid-19 within two weeks, Klang MP Charles Santiago has urged local health authorities to be more proactive in administering vaccines to high-risk groups.

It was reported earlier today that the home had lost its first resident three weeks ago, with the latest of the 17 deaths occurring last week.

All 24 residents, aged between 70 and 90, had tested positive for Covid-19.

"This is where you need the state health department and the district health offices (PKD) to be proactive.

"They need to reach out to old folks' homes and not the other way around because they know where the old folks' homes are. There are about 50 of them in the Klang area.

"Why are they waiting for so long? This is something that should be done early in the stage," Charles said to Malaysiakini today.

Klang MP Charles Santiago

For example, he said he has been trying to help about 150 people from the poor community in Bukit Raja, who have not been able to register for the vaccine through the MySejahtera app.

When he attempted to request for a mobile vaccination team from the local PKD for those people in Bukit Raja, he said he was turned down and instead, was told to visit their office.

"This way is not going to work. You don't have to wait for people to come to you," Charles stressed.

Owners of homes for the elderly should also be more responsible and provide vaccinations for their residents and workers, he added.

The Star had earlier reported about the deaths at the home, with the home's owner Tan Kai Sheng adding that six of the centre's live-in workers had also tested positive.

Tan added that three workers at the home had run away and one more left.

"One came back and we hired new staff to take care of the old folks."

It was also reported that none of the 24 residents had received their Covid-19 vaccinations nor have they registered with MySejahtera for the vaccine.

Charles said he had been in contact with some of the family members of those senior citizens who had passed away.

He said the family members are expected to lodge police reports soon against the home. - Mkini