We need more panel clinics, testing facilities, Penang bosses tell MoH

GEORGE TOWN – Employers are appealing to the Health Ministry to appoint more panel clinics and convert medical facilities into testing facilities to screen workers.

This is especially so for workers whose nature of job makes it difficult for them to adhere to standard operating procedures, such as physical distancing, when performing their duties.

Small and Medium Enterprises Association Malaysia secretary Yeoh Seng Hooi told The Vibes a shortage of testing facilities is behind the rise of infections among such workers in Penang.

“There are not enough panel clinics to complete the screening in such a short time. After more than a month since Putrajaya’s directive, only 49,681 people have undergone screening as of February 7.”

He said the Social Security Organisation (Socso) should expedite their approvals for workers to be tested.

For those not covered by Socso, Yeoh said the federal government should provide subsidies for them.

“Frequency is also a cause for concern, as those tested in January may be infected in March.

“The main issue involves workers who are supplied by agents and not under the direct payroll of the company.

“If these agents have to pay for the testing, they will eventually charge the company for using their services.”

He said one way to provide aid is by having clinics claim from the government the amount on the screening bill.

“Then we can go to the clinics for testing with names of employees and supporting documents, and get our employees tested.”

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow in a statement said the ministry, up to February 7, reported 472 clusters, involving workplaces, in the third wave of the pandemic, compared with 25 in the second wave.

For the third wave, clusters involving the manufacturing sector recorded the highest number of coronavirus cases, followed by services and construction.

Chow said the federal government should pay immediate attention to difficulties faced by employers, such as cost constraints and the inability to provide quarantine stations for comprehensive screening among employees.

In just seven days, from January 31 to February 6, the Penang Crisis Preparedness and Emergency Response Centre received reports of 912 Covid-19 cases.

Out of that number, 624 cases (68.4%) are citizens, while the remaining 288 cases (31.6%) are non-citizens.

Today, Penang reported 119 cases, involving 107 citizens and 12 non-citizens.

Mukim 12, in the southwest district, recorded 33 cases, totalling 428 active cases, while Mukim 13, in the northeast district, recorded 15 cases, totalling 282 active cases. – The Vibes, February 9, 2021