Penang in the dark over Covid-19 vaccination roll-out

GEORGE TOWN – Penang is in the dark over the federal government’s Covid-19 inoculation roll-out plan, said state housing, local government and town planning committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo.

He today urged Putrajaya to engage with all state governments to ensure a proper roll-out for the mass coronavirus immunisation programme.

He added that the Health Ministry should hold talks with state governments and other stakeholders, including private medical practitioners, to prepare for the roll-out, instead of carrying it out through the public sector.

“Many countries have started vaccinating their people, like the United States, United Kingdom and our neighbour Indonesia. We don’t know when the vaccines are going to arrive and what the federal government has done in preparation,” he said ahead of a visit to Chowrasta Market in Penang Road here to distribute face masks to traders.

“It is not an easy task to implement the vaccination programme. But, we are in the dark about its preparation.

“It will be easier to carry out the programme if arrangements are made and all the stakeholders are prepared.”

Jagdeep also urged the Social Security Organisation to increase the number of panel clinics allowed to perform the Covid-19 screening for foreign workers.

He said Socso’s appointment of 51 private clinics to conduct the screening will not meet the needs of 140,000 foreign workers in the state.

“Let us be very firm in fighting the pandemic, I have directed the Penang Island City Council and Seberang Prai City Council to monitor the situation.

“The state will not compromise on this matter and will not hesitate to take stern action against those who fail to follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) in their operations.”

Penang Medical Practitioners’ Society chairman Dr Paramjit Singh said clinics in the state had last week increased the number of daily screenings from 1,000 to 3,000.

“The screening toolkits were provided by Socso, while the management of the foreign workers pay RM60 per screening.”

He said the Penang Island City Council had on New Year’s Day ordered four bistros to close for failing to follow SOPs.

He added that the council had also issued a stop work order at 86 construction sites on the island since New Year’s Day for the same reason. – The Vibes, January 4, 2021