KUALA LUMPUR – The Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF) should listen to the peoples’ pleas and allow general practitioners (GPs) to administer vaccines again, said the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA).
MMA president Datuk Dr Subramaniam Muniandy said this amid the government’s move to stop vaccination appointments at 741 clinics in Selangor, which comes three weeks shy of the start of inoculations for children between 12 and 17 years old.
He said in light of these developments, it is only fair to assume that private GPs will not be included in CITF’s plans for the final phases of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK).
“If the private GPs are indeed going to continue to be involved, when was CITF planning on informing them?” Dr Subramaniam said in a statement
“If abruptly ending the vaccination appointments at private GPs in Selangor meant otherwise, then CITF should provide a proper explanation.”
Dr Subramaniam said private GPs have contributed to only 5% of the vaccinations in the Klang Valley, as if they were never part of CITF’s plans to prioritise participation of private doctors from the get-go.
He also said it is unlikely that 107.7% of adults in the Klang Valley have received their first dose, as there are still many who have yet to register for the vaccine, including a high number of undocumented migrants.
“How did CITF arrive at this figure? We would welcome an explanation from them.”
Yesterday, CITF said the involvement of GPs in administering Covid-19 vaccines is based on current needs to ensure the continuity of PICK.
According to Bernama, CITF said an increase in vaccination capacity in relevant areas was carried out from July 26 to August 1. This had led to its decision to reduce the number of vaccination centres (PPVs) in the Klang Valley, including the participation of GPs.
It added that ending the involvement of GPs is inaccurate, as cooperation will be considered in the future.
However, Dr Subramaniam said the CITF statement issued yesterday did not explain the rationale of not allowing private GPs to participate in PICK.
“Isn’t the goal to vaccinate as many people as possible and achieve herd immunity in the quickest time possible?”
“The health DG (director-general) had proposed that GP participation in the PICK under ProtectHealth be increased, but we see a very half-hearted response from CITF. Is CITF taking advice from the Health Ministry (MoH)? Or is it acting independently?”
Dr Subramaniam also said that many Malaysians are still wondering why PICK is a programme that falls under the purview of the Science Technology and Innovation Ministry (Mosti), when it should ideally be led by MoH.
“Perhaps it is time Mosti or MoH explain this because CITF seems to be clueless when it comes to healthcare.
“It is obvious CITF is not the expert but they are running the show for vaccinations. Even if they insist it should be them, they should at least consult the experts.
“Lastly, many Malaysians are still scratching their heads over why they can’t take a five-minute walk to their private GP clinic down the road to get vaccinated.” – The Vibes, August 23, 2021
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