KEPALA BATAS – As Covid-19 infections escalated to a record of over 9,000 new cases today with nearly 6,000 deaths thus far, Deputy Health Minister I Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali advised the people to be patient and continue to comply with the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
He said that one of the main factors contributing to the increase in numbers is the mass testing conducted in areas under the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.
“I understand that everyone is upset that even though MCOs, emergencies, and all sorts of things are being implemented, the cases still went up,” he said.
“It’s not anyone's fault. All parties are fighting. At this point, the government has taken swift action and done the best for the people,” he said at a press conference after visiting the vaccination centre at Dewan Millenium here today.
Yesterday, Malaysia saw a steep rise in Covid-19 cases to 8,868 infections. It was the second time the 8,000 mark was breached after it had been previously recorded once before in May.
A total of 135 people lost their lives to the virus yesterday, bringing the total number of fatalities since the pandemic broke out early last year to 5,903.
Today it saw an all-time record high of 9,180 cases, with 4,400 in Selangor alone.
The latest situation elicited various reactions from social media users who expressed anger and frustration at the government following the enforcement of the lockdowns since last year.
On another matter, Dr Noor Azmi said that the Health Ministry will bring up the issue of contract doctors to the cabinet later this month.
Currently, he said, the report on the proposed solution and improvements to the service scheme for all doctors is in the final stages.
“The government has done its best and efforts will be further enhanced so that contract doctors can be absorbed into permanent positions and be able to connect with the expertises needed in the medical field,” he said.
The hashtag #HartalDoktorKontrak recently went viral on Twitter as netizens voiced support for the difficulties and uncertainties experienced by contract doctors, who lack job security and benefits given to those in permanent positions.
On June 28, the Malaysian Medical Association’s (MMA) Section Concerning House Officers, Medical Officers and Specialists, representing government doctors, said it would launch Code Black week on July 1 as a show of solidarity for contract doctors.
The peaceful protest aims to solidify the demand for equal and fair treatment between contract and permanent staff, as well as ensure job security for all healthcare workers.
A group of doctors unaffiliated with MMA also called for a one-day strike on July 26 in protest against the government’s contract system.
It is understood that there are about 23,000 contract doctors in the country. – The Vibes, July 9, 2021
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