KOTA KINABALU – Sabah will need to step up its vaccine booster rate if it is looking to reopen its borders, said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin amid speculation over reopening dates.
He added that the vaccination status of those living in border towns remains unknown and risks migrants from the Philippines and Indonesia bringing in the virus.
“The assumption here is that the vaccination rate of other countries living close to our borders is still low, as they live far from main townships.
“Although the government has set up a strict entry procedure, it still poses a risk, as the government does not know their vaccination status,” he was quoted as saying in an Astro Awani report.
Khairy was met at the launching of the Mass Cataract Surgery Initiative (MCSI) in Tawau.
Also present were Sabah Health Director-General Tan Sri Noor Hisham Abdullah, state health director Datuk Rose Nani Mudin and Tg Batu assemblyman Andi Muhamad Suryady Bandy.
A total of 2,525,648 got their first dose, while 2,402,146 received their second dose and 761,625 had gotten their booster shots in Sabah as of March 6.
Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin has many times requested for the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) between Malaysia and Singapore to include Kota Kinabalu, but has yet to receive clearance from the National Security Council.
Malaysia is currently moving towards reopening its borders, but has not confirmed the time frame yet.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, however, said the government is in the process of implementing the VTL with Brunei and Thailand, while Indonesia’s VTL is being discussed.
He said the reopening of the borders would enable people to spend time together during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri in May.
On another note, Khairy, in launching the MCSI at the Tawau Hospital, is to deal with the backlog of surgeries due to the pandemic.
“This is a continuation of the MCSI in Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II in Kota Baru, Kelantan last year.
“From today until March 13, a total of 200 surgeries will be done in Tawau,” he said, adding that the district hospital is equipped with a full field digital mammography machine.
He said the machine will reduce patients’ waiting period to get a mammogram appointment. – The Vibes, March 7, 2022
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