MIRI – The interiors of Sarawak are ill-equipped to deal with a possible outbreak of Covid-19 infections following the 12th Sarawak election, warned a native rights body.
Baram Peoples’ Action Committee (BPAC) chairman Philip Jau told The Vibes that the existing health facilities in a rural district like Baram are unable to handle a Delta variant outbreak.
“There are only small government clinics in Baram, with the nearest hospital being Miri Hospital which is at least 200km away.
“To make matters even more worrying, there are many rural folks who have yet to receive their Covid-19 (vaccine) booster jabs.
“Their immunity level is already on the decline, and with health facilities so lacking all over rural Sarawak, a major Delta variant outbreak among the communities in the longhouses will be disastrous.
“Earlier this year, Baram district saw hundreds of longhouse residents down with Covid-19 infections.
“There were a few dozen Covid-19 deaths in Baram district alone.
“Those infected had to be transported all the way to Miri Hospital, which is at least 200km away.
“The outbreak was (caused by) the original Covid-19 variant.
“Imagine if there is an outbreak of the Delta variant during this state election. The likely outcome is frightening,” he said.
Jau said news regarding the high rate of hospitalisation due to Covid-19 transmission during the ongoing Melaka election campaign is a warning for Sarawak.
“The Election Commission must look into all this.
Don’t force us Sarawakians into a state election at a time when our people are getting seriously infected, with many lives already lost,” he said.
Jau pointed out that there are many Penans who have yet to be vaccinated with the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
“There are still many Penans who are afraid of the vaccines and have refused to be vaccinated.
“If they are infected with the Delta variant during the campaigning and polling time, the outcome can be fatal,” he said.
Yesterday, Miri MP Dr Michael Teo Yu Keng warned that the 57% increase in hospital admissions due to Covid-19 infections during the first week of campaigning for the Melaka election is a warning sign portending an even worse scenario in the impending Sarawak polls.
Dr Teo, who is state Pakatan Harapan deputy chairman, told The Vibes that the Health Ministry statistics showing a surge in Covid-19 cases in Melaka demonstrates it is not safe to hold a public election now.
“That is a serious increase and Melaka is a small state compared to Sarawak.
“Sarawak is as big as the whole of Peninsular Malaysia.
“If the number of positive cases was so high in a small state like Melaka, I dread to think how much worse it is going to be in a big state like Sarawak if we still go ahead with the state election,” said Dr Teo. – The Vibes, November 18, 2021
