KUALA LUMPUR – The Health Ministry’s call for medical volunteers to help combat the pandemic has backfired, courting criticism from netizens.
The advertisement posted on its Twitter account this morning called for medical officers, dentists, assistant medical officers, nurses, environmental health assistants, assistant environmental health assistants and medical laboratory technologists to join the fight.
The same advertisement was posted by Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
PENYERTAAN SUKARELAWAN KESIHATAN BAGI MENANGANI PANDEMIK COVID-19
— Noor Hisham Abdullah (@DGHisham) May 27, 2021
KKM menyeru penglibatan SUKARELAWAN KESIHATAN untuk membantu KKM dlm menangani wabak COVID-19. Tenaga sukarelawan ini AMAT diperlukan bagi meringankan beban yg dipikul petugas2 kesihatan KAMI di seluruh negara. pic.twitter.com/5Cq9L6yj5m
“MoH calls for the participation of healthcare volunteers to assist the ministry in combating the Covid-19 pandemic. These volunteers are needed to alleviate the burden on the public healthcare system.”
However, the ad stated that the ministry will not be providing transportation services, accommodation, food or any allowance to those keen to volunteer.
The MoH has since been slammed on social media, with netizens saying volunteers should at least be given reasonable benefits, such as minimal compensation or allowance.
Twitter user @xdil95 criticised the ad, saying that even volunteers at the school level are given meals.
betul2 sukarelawan ni. roti sebungkus pun xde! sukarelawan level skolah pun mkn minum dpt?
— ? (@xdil95) May 27, 2021
Other Twitter users echoed his sentiment, while some called for ministers to lead by example and volunteer to join the cause.
“All wakil rakyat and MPs must lead by example. Don’t just condemn and comment in an aircon room. It applies to both sides of the political divide. You guys are elected by the people to serve the people. Don’t forget that,” tweeted @Ahsoonkor.
Semua wakil Rakyat Dan MP mesti lead by example. Jangan Condemn Dan komen saje kat bilik aircond. Applies to both sides of political divide. You guys are elected by the people to serve the people. Don't ever forget that.
— ttsoon (@Ahsoonkor) May 27, 2021
“Correct me if I am wrong, but in a statement made by YB KJ, the Coordinating Minister for PICK, RM147 million is allocated for volunteer consolation of Health Volunteers. Are volunteers registering through this not eligible to receive any consolation?” asked @AlimudinHaris.
Betulkan saya kalau tersilap, dalam kenyataan yang dibuat oleh YB KJ Menteri Penyelaras PICK, RM147, 000,000.00 diperuntukkan untuk saguhati Sukarelawan Kesihatan. Apakah sukarelawan yang berdaftar melalui ini tidak termasuk yg akan menerima saguhati? pic.twitter.com/gnJuYaQcKv
— HarisAlimudin (@AlimudinHaris) May 27, 2021
Some also urged ministers to take a pay cut to help fund the volunteer programme.
“The ministers should take a pay cut, give it to the volunteers. They don’t even get packed lunch,” said Twitter user @v50775700.
Potong gaji menteri la. Bg sukarelawan. Ni nasik bungkuih pun x bagi. Bodo
— fyz (@v50775700) May 27, 2021
“If you don't want to spend money to provide allowance, at least provide basic necessities, such as food and drinks, accommodation and transportation. You are able to pay MPs RM20,000 a month throughout this pandemic, but you are not willing to provide any compensation to volunteers,” said @bukanpaanlah.
kalau taknak keluar duit bayar elaun pun at least sediakan lah keperluan asas seperti makan minum, tempat tinggal dan pengangkutan. Untuk MP yang dah memang gaji jalan sepanjang pandemik korang sanggup bayar 20k, untuk sukarelawan sikit pun taknak keluar duit.?♂️
— Tak, Bukan Paan (@bukanpaanlah) May 27, 2021
“@Khairykj @officialmosti could channel RM20,000 fund from each MP to these volunteers. It would be better than giving the sum to MPs. Just my suggestion,” said @abdullah_e21.
Mohon @Khairykj @officialmosti salurkan dana rm20k untuk setiap MP ditukar untuk beri kepada KKM bayar sukarelawan ni. Lagi berfungsi dari beri kepada MP. Ini cadangan saya.
— Ijat (@abdullah_e21) May 27, 2021
“Why not the government cut down ministry fees and give allowance to those willing to volunteer. We understand the term volunteer but come on, it’s 2021. People need money to survive,” urged @sitikhatijahh.
Why not gov cut down ministry fee and give allowance to those willing to volunteer. Faham volunteer kena secara sukarela but cmon 2021 ,
— ?? ?? SavePalestine ?? ?? (@sitikhatijahh) May 27, 2021
People need money to survive ??♀️
The ministry’s ad on Twitter, which is still available to view at press time, has garnered more than 1,900 retweets and 1,200 likes. – The Vibes, May 27, 2021
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