Closure of Selangor PPVs based on sketchy data: Klang MP

KUALA LUMPUR – Klang MP Charles Santiago cried foul over the government’s decision to push ahead with the closures of 29 vaccination centres (PPVs) in Selangor.

This is despite Covid-19 infections remaining high in the state.

Santiago told The Vibes that the National Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force’s (CITF) move to proceed with the shuttering of the PPVs is premature and a waste of taxpayers’ funds.

His remarks comes after CITF indicated that the state will reach a target of 90% vaccination rate soon.

“Where is the evidence that Klang will have vaccinated 90% of its population?” he asked.

The lawmaker said the population in the district is about 1.3 million, and that the Science, Innovation and Technology Ministry (Mosti) had revealed that registrations via the MySejahtera app is only around 700,000.

This, he added, leaves roughly half a million people unaccounted for, which means that it is nearly impossible for the 90% immunisation figure to apply to Klang.

“Secondly, you are closing PPVs when the government has already invested around RM4 million (on) each. Some PPVs have been operating for only a month and already, the government is transferring some (recipients) to mega PPVs.

“What is the logic behind this? There is no extra cost for the government (if the PPVs remain open). When you transfer to mega PPVs, you will create more risk of cluster breakouts. In terms of data, 90% is pretty much wishful thinking.”

Yesterday, CITF chief secretariat Ruziah Shafei issued a circular to stakeholders indicating that the 29 PPVs in Selangor will be closed, with existing appointments transferred to centres that will remain open. The memo is addressed to Selangor secretary Datuk Nor Azmie Diron.

Ruziah said the closures of the centres is aimed at optimising the use of resources, with the 90% target expected to be reached soon.

“In line with the closures of the PPVs, Selangor CITF is requested to comply with processes and procedures to end operations that have been set under the Non-Health PPV closure guidelines,” read the circular sighted by The Vibes.

Yesterday, Selangor had recorded the highest number of Covid-19 cases at 7,175, and averaged at 6,674 throughout the week.

On Tuesday, Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah had confirmed the proposal to shutter or relocate PPVs in the Klang Valley from next Monday, as per a document sighted by The Vibes.

The closures and relocations will affect nearly half of the 71 PPVs located in 10 districts in the Klang Valley.

At present, Klang has eight PPVs, while Gombak has five, Kuala Selangor (3), Kuala Langat (2), Petaling (15), Sabak Bernam (2), Sepang (4), Hulu Langat (12), Hulu Selangor (12) and Kuala Lumpur (8).

Santiago had on Tuesday pointed out that the closure of the PPV at the Hokkien Association Hall will leave his highly populated constituency with only the Wyndham Acmar Klang hotel jab site. Both mega PPVs each administer an average of 7,000 to 8,000 vaccine doses daily.

Vaccination appointments at the Hokkien Association Hall PPV will be combined with those at the Soka Gakkai hall PPV – mainly involving the second shot.

Santiago said having the Wyndham Acmar Klang hotel PPV administer 14,000 to 15,000 doses a day will surely cause congestion at the venue.

Yesterday, the lawmaker also pointed out that the closures of the centres will affect the accessibility of the facilities in Klang, especially for the elderly population.

“In terms of costs, it makes no sense as the government has already paid for it. My suspicion is whoever that is arranging this is providing priority to business groups.” – The Vibes, August 20, 2021