MIRI – The Sarawak government has been urged to begin trial usage of the ivermectin drug.
State Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice-president Dr Teo Yu Keng said ivermectin has been proven effective in several countries as a drug that can be used to treat Covid-19 patients and prevent infection.
Dr Teo, who is also Sarawak Pakatan Harapan deputy chairman 1, told The Vibes that as a medical doctor, he vouches that the drug is safe for use by humans.
“Sarawak should liaise with the Health Ministry to have trial use of ivermectin in this state.
“While efforts are being made to hasten the pace of vaccination throughout Sarawak, the infection rate and fatalities continue surging every day.
“It will take a bit of time before we in Sarawak can attain herd immunity.
“That is why for now, ivermectin will be useful to treat patients who are positive and to prevent infections.
“For now, infections and fatalities are not just in urban areas, but also in rural longhouses.
“They (infections) are also increasing among workers in the construction sector, oil palm plantations, logging camps, and other project sites in the rural districts.
“We need an immediate remedy and ivermectin is the answer,” he said.
Dr Teo said the effectiveness of ivermectin has already been proven in populous nations like India.
“It is a fact that in India, ivermectin has been proven very useful against Covid-19.
“In New Delhi, the death rate dropped from a peak of 400 daily to four in only two months following widespread use of ivermectin.
“It was the same in Tamil Nadu and Goa.
“Throughout India, we can see a marked daily reduction of new cases where ivermectin is being used,” he said.
Dr Teo said his clinic in Miri is willing to play a role in the ivermectin trial if the state authorities allow it.
Sarawak has seen 417 Covid-19 deaths and some 66,000 positive infections as of yesterday evening. – The Vibes, July 3, 2021
