The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has urged the government to provide more protection to medical frontliners leading the charge against the Covid-19 pandemic.
It also called for the creation of more permanent medical officer (MO) posts.
In a statement today, MMA president Dr Subramaniam Muniandy said Putrajaya must ensure frontliners have ample access to quality personal protective equipment (PPE).
“The Health Ministry’s stock of high grade, quality PPE should be closely monitored to ensure constant and adequate supply even as daily utilisation increases with the worsening pandemic situation.
“We can’t afford to allow our medical personnel onto the battlefield without their shields against the virus.
“One infected personnel equates to one less staff and one more patient,” he said.
Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported that the Seri Manjung Hospital in Perak had not received PPE for nine months despite receiving a RM10,500 allocation from Beruas MP Ngeh Khoo Ham back in April 2020.
Ngeh has since lodged a police report alleging misuse of funds.
Meanwhile, Subramaniam called on the government to provide healthcare workers with more mental health resources.
“The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support hotline proved invaluable during the first wave of Covid-19, and we strongly suggest that the ministry looks into providing more resources and similar initiatives to ensure our healthcare staff and patients are looked after,” he said.
He further called for healthcare workers to be given one day off per week to prevent fatigue and burnout.
This was because some worked seven days a week due to the pandemic, he shared.
Employ more doctors permanently
Aside from PPE and mental health resources, the MMA president urged Putrajaya to extend Covid-19 financial allowances to all healthcare staff who were exposed to Covid-19.
Subramaniam urged for more permanent posts to be created for MOs to address the shortage of doctors in the public healthcare system.
“This shortage of doctors exists at both the specialist and MO levels, yet only a small proportion of contract MOs have been offered permanent positions in government service with the fate of the remaining doctors left hanging and unknown.
“More permanent posts for MOs need to be created immediately to ensure adequate manpower to continue the fight against Covid-19 and future pandemics on top of routine healthcare services,” he stressed.
For contract MOs who are not offered permanent positions, he urged that the ministry extend their contract by 10 years to allow them to specialise.
Subramaniam also called on Putrajaya to share more details on the 3,500 healthcare workers it plans to employ under its latest Perlindungan Ekonomi dan Rakyat Malaysia (Permai) stimulus package.
He specifically asked if the new positions will include permanent and contract MO positions. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.