NATIONAL applied research and development (R&D) centre MIMOS Bhd will apply its technological breakthrough know-how to support the four-phase National Recovery Plan (NRP) exit strategy from the COVID-19 crisis.
The agency under the purview of the Science, Technology and innovation Ministry (MOSTI) noted the success of the NRP will eventually hinge on three main threshold indicators, namely:
- Virus transmission within the community based on the number of daily cases;
- Capability of the public health system based on occupancy of intensive care unit (ICU) wards; and
- How much of the population is protected against COVID-19 based on the percentage that has received two doses of vaccines.
“As E&E (electrical and electronics) is the main contributor to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), some of our labs and facilities have to continue operating during the pandemic without compromising the safety and health of our frontline workers,” commented MIMOS president and CEO Dr Iskandar Samad.
“Thus, we are committed to expedite the immunisation for our staff based on the three main threshold indicators.”
At its organisational level, MIMOS’ plans to accelerate COVID-19 vaccination for its staff, especially its frontline workers as part of its participation in the Public-Private Partnership Industrial COVID-19 Immunisation Programme (PIKAS).
As a strategic agency under MOSTI, MIMOS fully supports the roll-out of PIKAS which is an initiative under Phase 4 of the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme to achieve herd immunity in the community.
MIMOS will also reactivate its work from home (WFH) and fit-to-work (FTW) programmes once the country enters Phase 2 of the recovery plan which will see more economic sectors allowed to operate in stages with up to 80% capacity.
“Under the FTW programme, MIMOS will ensure that the mental, emotional and physical health of the employees are being addressed prior to return to work,” said Iskandar.
“MIMOS will also closely monitor those under the high-risk group, having comorbidity as well as former COVID-19 patients who are affected by long COVID or post-COVID syndrome where MIMOS will give them more flexibility.”
Another plan in the pipeline is developing a safe return to work mobile apps that enables workforce and workplace readiness by incorporating real-time safety monitoring within MIMOS’ campus.
Among features of the apps include room capacity alerts, safety regulations reminders, tracking of past positive COVID-19 cases within the premises and close contact real-time identification. The development is currently at the proof-of-concept stage.
Such moves reflect MIMOS’ commitment in providing a safe working environment for its employees and restoring their confidence to return to office amid the pandemic. – June 19, 2021
