GEORGE TOWN – Embattled health exco Dr Norlela Ariffin is trying to correct the misconceptions that her Pakatan Harapan colleagues, including former chief minister Lim Guan Eng, may have of her job performance.
Dr Norlela, who is PKR’s Penanti assemblyman, said it is not right for her to be the only one to shoulder the entire blame following the after-effects of the pandemic in Penang.
“I am in the state government’s WhatsApp group and every day I post updates and clarify any misgivings brought up by the backbenchers. So I feel it is not right that I have to shoulder the entire blame on this Covid-19 issue.”
The soft-spoken Dr Norlela told The Vibes that she is also willing to hold a press conference to clarify her performance as the state health exco.
She said handling the pandemic is not a one-person job, but requires the public’s cooperation, and added that it is unfortunate that Penang is struggling to shake off high daily infections and casualties.
Dr Norlela also highlighted certain efforts the state government is carrying out to ensure its people are taken care of.
“A landmark target is on the horizon as 100% of those registered under MySejahtera are to complete their first dose by September 20.
“We hope to have everyone fully immunised by October-November.”
She also said that the state has 14,000 people – mostly senior citizens – who did not register under MySejahtera, most of which are in the northeast district.
Dr Norlela said that her team has developed a 999 emergency careline as well as initiatives such as the Penang Unified Covid-19 Command to assist Covid-19 patients.
On the collaboration with the Penang General Hospital emergency services unit, she said a team of volunteers are providing aid to Covid-19 sufferers, who have to reach out by dialling 999.
Dr Norlela added that the majority of the categories 1 (asymptomatic) and 2 (mild symptoms) patients are now asked to self-quarantine at home.
She however said that she prefers they be housed in hotels, which can be converted to special quarantine stations, to ensure that they do not violate the standard operating procedures.
“It will take time to fight this virus but to do so better requires the cooperation of everybody under the slogan of kitajagakita#,” she said
Meanwhile, Penang PKR leaders such as acting chairman Datuk Muhammed Bakhtiar Wan Chik and vice-chairman Jason Ong Khan Lee have come to her aid.
Bakhtiar said when DAP stumbled in the purchase of vaccines because the deal was suspicious in the first place, PKR kept quiet as DAP is an ally under the PH banner.
It would be laudable if DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng chose to internally discuss Penang’s Covid-19 management, he added.
Ong said slamming the state over the death count would not bring back the dead, and that he would rather focus on finding solutions to overcome the pandemic rather than indulge in a blame game.
Dr Norlela earlier said she is unsure of the reasons behind Lim’s constant criticism of the state government’s Covid-19 handling.
She told The Vibes that she has addressed every question posed by Lim, submitting her answers to the state PH leadership.
In a statement yesterday, Lim slammed the state government and Dr Norlela for being naive and blindly following Putrajaya’s wishes when it comes to tackling the pandemic.
“The state government, particularly the health exco, can no longer be so naive as to blindly follow the wishes of the federal government at the expense of either the lives or health of Penangites.
“The federal government must wake up from its slumber and pour resources and manpower into Penang Hospital given its current limitations, where the system has broken down, in order to protect the safety of staff and patients.”
He said Penangites want a concerted effort by the state administration “to make up for the defects, failures, and weaknesses of the federal government”.
“Blindly following the federal government and trusting their false promises is no longer an option.
“I wish to remind state government leaders who defend the policy of blindly following the failed federal government that such inaction is a gross disservice to the lives and livelihoods of the people of Penang that we have committed to protect.” – The Vibes, September 9, 2021
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