WITH the nation embarking full lockdown due to rising COVID-19 cases, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) urged the Government to use the “breather time” to accelerate testing and the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP).
For starters, the non-governmental organisation (NGO) urged the Health Ministry (MOH) to accept RTK Antigen test results, instead of sticking to the RT PCR test alone.
“RTK Antigen screening is faster in determining positive cases and cost effective. If a person has tested positive using the RTK Antigen test kit, it is unlikely they will test negative using RT PCR test kit.
“At present, those testing positive using RTK Antigen have to take an RT PCR test to confirm their positive result. The results for RT PCR can take around two days to obtain,” said its president Prof Datuk Dr M Subramaniam in a statement.
Yesterday, UNI-Malaysia Labour Centre (UNI-MLC) president Datuk Mohamed Shafie BP Mammal urged the Government to shorten the waiting period of COVID-19 swab tests, from the current 72 hours to 24 hours to contain the spread of the pandemic.
“My team conducted a survey and found out that it takes nearly three days for one to get their swab test results, which is dangerous.
“The authorities should think about the implications caused by long waiting period. After getting tested, these people go to work and mingle with others as there is no requirement for them to isolate themselves.
“This could be another reason why COVID-19 infection is getting worse now,” Shafie told FocusM.
Engage all stakeholders for faster results
On that note, Subramanian urged the Government speed up the NIP initiative to achieve “herd immunity” as soon as possible.
One solution, he offered, was for the Government to increase the number of vaccination centres nationwide, by roping in private general practitioners (GP) in the vaccination effort.
“We welcome minister, Khairy Jamaluddin’s announcement that 500 GP clinics will be administering vaccines by June 15 and the number will be increased to 1,000 by June 30.
“It is hoped that the target of 5,000 participating GPs can be achieved over the next two months,” he mentioned.
Subramaniam noted that there are about 8,000 GPs in Malaysia and with just 5,000 of them administering vaccines, the authorities can inoculate 150,000 people a day.
“We are at a critical stage of the pandemic crisis. Resources need to be optimised and unnecessary red tape should be removed.
“Unfortunately, there has been a lack of meaningful engagement between the Government and other sectors towards the development of a national strategy to manage COVID-19 but it’s not too late.
“A proper exit strategy is also needed and the MOH must be willing to accept feedback from all stakeholders,” he stressed. – May 31, 2021
