KUALA LUMPUR – The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Service (Cuepacs) has expressed disagreement with a proposal that disciplinary action be taken against hospital staff who fail to comply with standard operating procedures to curb Covid-19.
President Adnan Mat, in a statement today, said the authorities should study the cause of transmission in health facilities in a broader context, instead of issuing statements without being aware of the real situation.
Most people know that the latest Covid-19 wave involves many asymptomatic cases, he said.
“Cuepacs is in agreement if SOP compliance is emphasised among Health Ministry staff to ensure that all necessary preventive and protective measures are taken to prevent Covid-19 transmission.
“However, to take disciplinary action is being unreasonable, as these health workers have carried out their responsibilities to the best of their ability since the outbreak started in Malaysia.”
He was commenting on a public health expert’s statement recommending that the ministry take disciplinary action against health personnel who fail to adhere to SOPs to prevent the spread of the disease in hospitals.
The statement followed Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah’s announcement on Friday that there have been 1,771 Covid-19 infections among health workers.
Adnan said in some cases, hospital visitors, especially those with symptoms, do not adhere to the rules, and they may be the reason for health personnel contracting the coronavirus. – Bernama, December 21, 2020
