Covid-19: Clarify specific policy changes, among three MHC's proposals for MOH

9 Sept 2021

By Ilona Andrew

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Health Coalition (MHC) has proposed three ways that could help the Ministry of Health (MOH) which is now headed by Minister Khairy Jamaluddin while Malaysia is expecting to move into an endemic Covid-19 phase by the end of October.

One of the proposals is to clarify the specific policy changes for an endemic Covid-19 as to communicate with the public clearly and with transparency.

The coalition said controlling virus transmissibility, routine vaccination programmes, efficient testing, and improving healthcare capacity, are among the areas that require clear policy shifts.

"We urge some caution in labelling Covid-19 as endemic unless these parts of our health system are strengthened. Otherwise, we risk a complacent population or a public administration that stops focusing on Covid-19," it said in a statement today.

Meanwhile, it suggested that expertise such as health advisors and implementation partners from outside MOH must be involved in the decision-making and implementation process rather than be consulted on an ad hoc basis.

A good working model is the greater Klang Valley Task Force, MHC stated, adding that the coalition and its member organisations are ready to assist.

While the ministers' 100-day Key Performance Indexes (KPIs) are commendable, MHC said phased KPIs must be established for 30, 60, and 90 days.

"As we are in the middle of a raging pandemic, some urgent measures must be taken earlier than the 100 days. Therefore, we suggest the Minister agrees on a phased set of KPIs to be achieved within 30, 60, and 90 days, together with MOH and non-MOH experts.

"These phased KPIs must be publicised for accountability, and also to unite all of Malaysia to achieve these KPIs together. These phased KPIs must be merged with the National Recovery Plan, Budget 2022 and 12th Malaysia Plan, where health must be at the forefront of all policy considerations.

"We must now make up for some lost time due to the political instability of the last 18 months. Therefore, we stand behind the new Health Minister as he leads the ministry to turn the Covid-19 tide in Malaysia's favour. We will fulfil our duties as responsible health professionals and citizens."