By Professor Datuk Dr Subramaniam Muniandy
APART from registering for the anti-COVID-19 vaccines and generating e-certificates for vaccinated individuals, the MySejahtera app should also be made the official app for COVID-19 RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) and Rapid Test Kit (RTK) Antigen test results certification.
The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) believes this would be most practical as one of the app’s main features is to provide the user’s most up-to-date COVID19 exposure status. For uniformity and consistency, the Government should use only one system to record and store individual’s COVID19 data throughout the pandemic.
Currently, the laboratories processing the RT PCR test samples use the Sistem Informasi Makmal Kesihatan Awam (SIMKA) system to report the test results to the Ministry of Health.
The tested individual then receives the test result from the private healthcare facility. Those taking the RTK Antigen tests are informed of their results within an hour by the private healthcare facility. It will be good if MySejahtera can generate the COVID-19 RT PCR and RTK Antigen certificates as well.
COVID-19 test results certification generated via the My Sejahtera app will also prevent issues such as fake certificates and middlemen attempting to capitalise on the COVID-19 situation in the country.
Malaysia and Singapore as well as other countries are now in talks to open up borders for business travel and tourism hence the government should consider including e-certification for COVID-19 tests via MySejahtera app apart from vaccination certification.
The Government should also ensure that all embassies in the country only recognise certification from MySejahtera as the official app under the Malaysian government for the recording of individual’s personal data and up-to-date health status throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. – March 28, 2021
Professor Datuk Dr Subramaniam Muniandy is the president of Malaysian Medical Association.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
