Doctors defend Khairy, Noor Hisham as instrumental in Covid control

 

MMA president Dr Koh Kar Chai says an MP made unfair criticisms of Khairy Jamaluddin’s strategy and Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah’s credentials. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Medical Association has hit back at an MP who questioned the credentials of health ministry leaders in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.

MMA president Dr Koh Kar Chai said the criticisms by Bintulu MP Tiong King Sing were unfair, and praised health minister Khairy Jamaluddin and health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah as being instrumental in bringing the pandemic under control.

“In fact, both the health minister and health DG have been instrumental in bringing the pandemic under control,” he said.

In a rebuttal to Tiong’s questioning whether Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah was qualified to lead the Covid-19 response, as he was a surgeon, not a public health specialist, Koh said: “A director-general of health does not necessarily have to be a public health expert to be able to formulate policies to manage the pandemic effectively.”

He said it was likely that Noor Hisham would regularly consult public health experts in the ministry and also engage with international experts, and similarly for Khairy, who is advised by experts before decisions on policies are made.

Koh also had praise for Khairy. “For a non-medical health minister, we think he is performing exceptionally well.”

He disputed Tiong’s assertion that Malaysia should adopt more strategies from China, which has been one of the most successful countries in fighting Covid-19.

“The situation in China is very different. They may be able to afford lockdowns but we simply can’t. Not any more as it will be too damaging to our economy. We agree with the health ministry’s approach, which is mitigation. The way forward is to learn to live with the virus with full vaccination, boosters and strict SOPs until the threat of Covid-19 no longer exists.” - FMT