The political secretary to Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin has chastised an infectious diseases expert for calling into question the ministry’s public sanitisation initiative.
Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman previously said such operations were a waste of resources that could otherwise be used to buy needed equipment instead.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Science Council member pointed to how the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention had advised against large-scale sanitisation exercises since April.
In a statement today, Zuraida’s aide Nor Hizwan Ahmad urged Adeeba to appreciate the government for its efforts.
He also advised her to focus her sights on managing the Covid-19 pandemic in Selangor where infections were highest.
“I urge Adeeba, who is a panellist on the Selangor Task Force for Covid-19, to focus on Selangor which has been recording the highest cases in the country.
“Let us find a way out as now is not the time to find fault with anyone.
“Adeeba and all those who often criticise the government’s efforts should follow and appreciate all the government’s efforts in ensuring to stop the spread of Covid-19 in the country,” he said.
Aide defends sanitisation
Aside from Adeeba, other public health experts have similarly questioned the ministry’s public sanitisation drives.
Groups like the Malaysian Public Health Physicians’ Association and the Academy of Medicine of Malaysia have also called for “science-backed strategies” in combating Covid-19.
Today, Hizwan echoed Zuraida in defending the ministry’s actions.
“This (sanitisation) is done as a preventative measure against infections.
“We all know that new variants are already in the community, as mentioned by Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah. This shows that this virus develops very quickly,” he contended.
Elaborating, he said these sanitisation operations were “thorough” and involved decontamination, disinfection and public sanitisation.
Hizwan added that the ministry along with the Fire and Rescue Department have held a total of 26,000 public sanitisation drives since the pandemic began.
“The rakyat need assurance and they need to appreciate all the government’s efforts in minimising the risk of infection. Furthermore, we focus on areas that are confirmed to have active Covid-19 cases.
“Public sanitisation is one of the new norms that we want to instil into the community so it remains safe, clean and healthy,” he said. - Mkini
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