THERE is no need to declare Emergency over COVID-19, instead address Sabah’s dire need for better healthcare support to cope with soaring cases.
The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) said other areas under the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) such as Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya are having their cases under control but needs improvement on existing measures.
“The federal government need to urgently pour massive financial and health aid into Sabah before the latter’s healthcare system collapses.
“Community transmission in Sabah may be escalating,” said its president Dr M Subramaniam in a statement.
On Friday, Muhyiddin called for a special Cabinet meeting at Seri Perdana. It was speculated the former was looking into declaring an Emergency due to the ongoing pandemic.
However, critics have said Muhyiddin is looking at the ‘nuclear option’ as it is rumoured that his political adversaries may be looking at dislodging his government by voting down Budget 2021, scheduled for Nov 6.
The Conference of Rulers is having a meeting today to deliberate on Muhyiddin’s proposals.
Yesterday, Malaysia breached the four digit ceiling by recording 1,228 new cases with seven deaths.
Subramaniam cautioned that the daily number of new cases reported may be much lesser than actual numbers due to delays in reporting test results, contact tracing and isolation of infected individuals.
“Bed occupancy is reaching full capacity in most hospitals in Sabah and in some places, less severe cases of COVID-19 have to be isolated and home treatment system has been instituted.
“MMA is deeply concerned that more severe cases may increase further. Sabah’s infection and death rates are escalating rapidly, making it among the highest in the nation,” he noted.
Sabah is on the edge
In that regard, Subramaniam remarked Sabah is in dire need of personal protective equipment, medical equipment and financial aid.
An increase in hospital bed and testing capacity is also needed.
He added unlike the Peninsula, Sabah only has nine public hospitals and access to healthcare can be a challenge for the people there due to vast land area, living in remote location and tough terrains.
“And healthcare workers are on the verge of quitting due to fatigue, mental stress and acute shortage of manpower.
“MMA urges the government to consider engaging more help from public healthcare facilities from other states with low COVID-19 cases to be deployed to Sabah.
“We noticed that significant numbers of re-deployment are within the state itself rather than from interstate which may not increase Sabah’s total healthcare workforce,” he observed.
Subramaniam stressed that an urgent boost from the government is needed to enhance testing capacity, including engaging the private sector.
Echoing Subramaniam’s sentiments, the Malaysia Health Coalition (MHC) also urged the government not to impose an Emergency and use existing laws to deal with COVID-19.
“Please don’t use our healthcare issue as a political tool. A disproportionate response is counterproductive and erodes public trust.
“It will only result in non-adherence to existing laws and standard operating procedures (SOPs) which will worsen the pandemic.” it said.
MHC went on to say existing laws have proven to be adequate since March. They include the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 342 and multiple SOPs. – Oct 25, 2020
