CORONAVIRUS | The president of the Malaysian Medical Association and 12 predecessors have penned an open letter to Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin calling for a gradual relaxation of the movement control order (MCO) measures currently being implemented to combat the spread of Covid-19.
“To Malaysia’s credit, the measures taken by the government, guided by professionals and the best available knowledge, have so far managed to prevent the sort of runaway increase in cases and deaths that we have seen in some other countries,” read the letter.
However, they say it is likely that a stepwise relaxation of movement control will be the way forward.
“For instance, businesses may be allowed to operate with strict guidelines on how many people can be on the premises. Public transport may have to operate with limited loads and with frequent disinfection. Solitary public exercise will have to be permitted, to allow for mental and physical health issues.
“In all cases, strict hand hygiene and physical distancing must be observed, with masks if necessary. Interstate travel may need to be restricted but will have to be prioritised for economic needs rather than personal.
“Large group congregations for places of worship, celebrations (e.g. weddings) unfortunately will have to be restricted until the likelihood of community viral spread comes down consistently. This might take upwards of months to years.
“All such measures will need enforcement, and enforcers must be given very clear guidelines so they do not exceed the limits of the regulations or their powers. The public likewise must be well informed about the practical effects of such regulations – what is and is not permissible,” reads the letter.
The letter is signed by the current president of the MMA Dr N Ganabaskaran and 12 past presidents including Dr Ashok Philip, Dr David Quek Kwang Leng, Dr H Krishna Kumar, Dr A Krishnamoorthy, Dr N Arumugam, Dr Milton Lum Siew Wah, Dr RP Lingam, Dr John Chew Chee Ming, Dr Ravindran Naidu, Dr Subramaniam Nadarajan, Dr Abdul Hamid and Dr Mohamed Namazie Ibrahim.
In making this call, the physicians acknowledge that the coronavirus is not going to disappear anytime soon but asked if this means that all Malaysians have to cower at home until the “all clear” is declared.
“There are many strategies that can support community resilience and mental health, protect access to essential goods and services, and limit the economic impact of stay-at-home measures where these are deemed necessary.
“For example, organising work-sites to ensure physical distance between persons, such as staggering shifts over time, or converting on-site service to home delivery may help to keep more businesses open.
“Tele-working and tele-schooling strategies in different contexts demonstrate innovation and the role of technology in supporting business continuity and sustaining social connection within families and communities.
“In general, implementation of distancing measures should also aim to sustain personal and professional community connections by virtual means and technology, including widely accessible means such as radio and mobile phones.”
“Therefore, disruption of social activities, gainful employment, job losses and bankruptcies will have to be tempered with strong tangible ground level people to people, as well as small enterprise/small business support.
“No jobs means no income - many would be hard-pressed to survive a prolonged MCO or long-term lockdowns. Thus, it is extremely critical to plan the long-term easing of these movement control and social distancing efforts,” added the physicians.
Safeguard healthcare professionals
The physicians say that while relaxing movement control, we cannot afford to let up on diagnosis, isolation and treatment of Covid-19 patients.
“We will need to get a point of care rapid tests such as we have for dengue and influenza, which we hope will be evaluated and available within a few weeks.
“We will need to look into those who have been cured or who have protective antibodies so that perhaps these convalescent people might get ‘certificates of infection and cure’, and therefore, be allowed to return quickly to society - to work, to pursue business, to study et cetera.”
They also warned against any sort of monopoly on the manufacture, import, distribution and sale of such tests or economic incentives.
“These should benefit all our rakyat equitably and fairly without losses from leakages and unnecessary bureaucracy. The government must exercise financial prudence, power restraint as well as great transparency so that the rakyat can have confidence in the government’s management and control of this Covid-19 pandemic.”
The physicians also called on authorities to take measures to safeguard the health of rest accorded to healthcare professionals.
“Globally, hundreds of doctors and nurses have already died looking after Covid-19 patients. This should not be allowed to happen here. If doctors and nurses get sick, that places even greater strains on the healthcare system. Worse, this will seriously undermine the morale and confidence of frontline healthcare workers here,” they said. - Mkini
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