KUALA LUMPUR – Appropriate support must be provided to medical frontliners and their families, said the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) after this morning’s #HartalDoktorKontrak walkout.
In a statement today, Suhakam said this support should include healthcare workers, enforcement agencies, contract workers and volunteers to make sure that their safety and welfare are preserved.
“There should be adequate provisions of personal protective equipment, necessary equipment, as well as better benefits in light of the risks that they face on a daily basis and their invaluable contribution to the nation in this crisis,” it said in the statement.
It said they recently received a memorandum from the German Doktor-doktor Kontrak Malaysia group that highlighted grouses with their employment terms.
“Suhakam wishes to encourage all concerned parties to discuss and resolve issues raised soonest, as a matter of public interest.
“We hope relevant ministries will take proactive steps to provide immediate assistance and plan ahead to resuscitate small and medium-sized businesses that have incurred tremendous losses and suffered badly due to the pandemic.”
It then praised the government for ramping up the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK) as well as increasing testing and screening efforts.
Recently, PICK has been administering close to half a million doses per day.
The Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force had announced on July 23 that 71.9% of adults in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Selangor have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
Suhakam also called for the government to uphold the principle of “leaving no one behind” by ensuring that refugees and undocumented migrants are incurred in the national vaccination drive, and to avoid threats of punitive actions.
Until the country achieves herd immunity, Suhakam reminds everyone to adhere to the now-familiar standard operating procedures (SOPs).
“The frontliners’ tireless and selfless efforts alone will not be sufficient to pull us through this crisis.
“The action or non-action of every member of the community and wider society matters as well in the overall equation to overcome the pandemic.
“It is crucial for everyone, regardless of their nationality or immigration status, to comply with the SOPs, including avoiding large gatherings, close or confined contact, and traveling across state borders, to restrict further spread of the virus.”
The group also welcomed the government’s decision to convene Parliament.
“The reinstatement of the parliamentary sessions is vital in ensuring there will be a check-and-balance mechanism in governing the country, and allow MPs to highlight and address the rakyat’s affairs and issues that have become more acute due to the pandemic,” it said. – The Vibes, July 26, 2021
