Not all entitled to Covid-19 special allowance, rue medical staff

CORONAVIRUS | Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced that healthcare frontliners battling the Covid-19 outbreak will receive a special allowance between RM400 and RM600 per month under the government's stimulus package.

However, medical staff told Malaysiakini that not all of them are entitled to receive the allowance or the full sum.

According to them, this is because only frontliners whose tasks require wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE) and those who work more than 14 days are eligible.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a government clinic staff said some do not receive the allowance despite being recalled back to work and having their leaves frozen.

"The allowance is subject to certain conditions, including those eligible must have worked for more than 14 days and were clad in PPE.

"If they work less than 14 days, then they only receive half of the special allowance," he added.

Meanwhile, another medical staff in Johor, who is stationed at a Covid-19 screening tent, said she felt marginalised.

“We are the first to face the risk of being infected but we are not entitled to it (allowance).

"It is regrettable that we cannot get the allowance because we are seen as operating from the tents. Only those who treat infected patients get the allowance,” she added.

Furthermore, she complained that making other claims was also a tedious process, not only for those stationed in the tents but also for those in the emergency departments.

“Now they want to create a special zone related to respiratory illnesses. In this zone, there could be Covid-19 positive cases and others. So those stationed there must wear full PPE,” she added.

Bureaucratic hurdles impede implementation

Another medical staff who declined to be named, said while the prime minister's announcement of a special allowance is welcomed, the problem lies with the bureaucratic hurdles.

“The announcement is good. Makes the medical staff feel appreciated. But when it comes to the implementation aspect, there is too much of bureaucracy and numerous conditions.

“We understand the police are facing a similar situation with regard to their RM200 special allowance.

“Only those on duty for more than 15 days and work at least eight hours a day are eligible (to receive the allowance),” he added.

With regard to the allowance for healthcare frontliners, the medical staff appealed to Health Minister Dr Adham Baba to look into the stipulated conditions.

Meanwhile, former deputy health minister Lee Boon Chye also urged Adham to resolve this matter as it could affect morale among healthcare workers.

“I have read reports on the difficulty in obtaining the special allowance, where an applicant must fill up five to six pages of forms, if I am not mistaken,” he told Malaysiakini.

Malaysiakini has contacted Adham for comment. - Mkini