GEORGE TOWN – Following the concern about unvaccinated elderly folk at nursing homes last month, Penang and Kedah have seen a significant surge in Covid-19 immunisation, with almost 50% of seniors at these facilities getting the jab.
Delren Terrence Douglas, president of the Association for Residential Aged Care Operators of Malaysia (Agecope), told The Vibes that all seniors staying at registered aged-care centres in the two states have been vaccinated.
Vaccination is under way for those at unregistered nursing homes.
“The mass registration and vaccination nationwide happened quite fast. After we met with Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, things sped up,” said Douglas.
“In less than a week, centres nationwide started getting calls from their district health offices to arrange for assessment and vaccination dates.”
On May 18, The Vibes reported that some 1,200 unlicensed nursing homes were found to not have registered staff and their dependents for vaccination.
Douglas had told The Vibes that the problem could be resolved if there was less red tape in providing licences to old folks’ homes.
The managements of such centres do not dare come forward for fear they will be penalised for being unlicensed, he added.
In a viral video message last month, Agecope secretary-general Muntoh Fong claimed that seniors appeared to be sidelined in the vaccination effort, while appointments were given to non-frontliners.
The matter caught the attention of Khairy and Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba.
Leeway only in Kedah, Penang
Douglas said looking back, there was zero vaccination in Kedah in early May.
However, after the outburst by Fong and the media highlighting operators’ plea, vaccination outreaches are now being arranged for the nursing homes there.
“The head of vaccination in Sg Petani was good enough to listen to me about getting vaccinations for unlicensed old folks’ homes because they are all high-risk, not just the centres that are licensed,” said Douglas.
“Next week, about 15 unlicensed old folks’ homes will get vaccinations. The vaccinations will be for both the elderly people there and the workers.”
However, the leeway granted applies only to Kedah and Penang, he said.
According to feedback given to Agecope, the Social Welfare Department said the issue of allowing unlicensed aged-care centres to receive vaccinations is out of its jurisdiction.
“I told them that this is not about jurisdiction, licensed or unlicensed,” said Douglas.
“This is about health and life, as these centres can be licensed after the movement control order.”
It is understood that other parts of the country are facing setbacks in vaccinating those staying and working at such facilities.
Douglas said he believes the government should encourage unlicensed aged-care homes to step forward and get registered, so as to receive Covid-19 jabs.
The only person in the government who is vocal about this is Khairy, he said.
“If you don’t vaccinate them, even the undocumented workers at the centres, you’ll have a group of unvaccinated people running around the country.
“If they don’t have the necessary documents, all you need is an A4 paper and a pen. Write down their name, country of origin, how long they have been in Malaysia, and where they are working now.
“This is good enough for you to take note that you have vaccinated such a person, so that they can continue to get their second dose.” – The Vibes, June 10, 2021
.jpg)
.jpg)
