Khairy urged to clarify policy changes for endemic Covid-19

 

The Malaysian Health Coalition (MHC) has urged the Health Ministry (MOH) to clarify specific policy changes to the public after its minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the country will move into an endemic Covid-19 phase by the end of October this year.

The group said it welcomes a “strong start” by Khairy who was appointed as the health minister last week and said clear policy shifts are needed in several areas.

“Controlling virus transmissibility, routine vaccination programmes, efficient testing, and improving healthcare capacity are among the areas that require clear policy shifts.

“So that we can treat Covid-19 as part of daily Malaysian life,” MHC said in a statement yesterday.

The group cautioned that unless the MOH strengthened these areas of the health system, labelling Covid-19 as endemic can risk complacency among the population and public administration on the virus.

While the 100-day KPIs (key performance indicators) set by the minister is commendable, MHC urged Khairy to take a step forward to set up more urgent targets as the pandemic is still raging in the country.

“Therefore, we suggest that the minister agrees on a phased set of KPIs to be achieved within 30, 60 and 90 days, together with MOH and non-MOH experts.

“These phased KPIs must be publicised for accountability, and also to unite all of Malaysia to achieve these KPIs together.

“These phased KPIs must be merged with the National Recovery Plan, Budget 2022 and the 12th Malaysian Plan, where health must be at the forefront of all policy considerations,” MHC said.

The group also recommended that Khairy includes health experts outside of MOH in its decision-making, rather than do so on an ad-hoc basis.

“A good working model is the Greater Klang Valley Task Force. The MHC and our member organisations are ready to assist,” the group added.

The Greater Klang Valley Task Force was set up in July by the MOH to specifically focus on the Covid-19 situation in the Klang Valley area.

The task force, which is working with external partners, has been given the mandate to make “quick decisions” on behalf of the MOH to mobilise resources to provide relief for the healthcare system.

Yesterday, Malaysia recorded 19,307 new Covid-19 cases and 323 deaths, bringing the total death toll of the pandemic to 19,486. - Mkini