The manner in which the Health Ministry handled the recent epidemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) has caused unnecessary worry and anxiety amongst Malaysians.

What is expected from the ministry is a frank and direct method of managing the issue and in disseminating information o­n Sars to the people. The gag issued o­n the media is not o­nly unnecessary but also deadly.

The irony is that more information o­n Sars is circulated through private e-mail than through official information and prevention guidelines from the ministry. Health Minister Chua Jui Meng is speaking the same lingo again. In claiming that his ministry has exceeded all standards set by the World Health Organisation, he is also singing his own praises.

Chua should have learned his lesson from the Nipah tragedy and the recent dengue outbreak. Hoarding facts and failing to report the severity of the situation is tantamount to his inability to perform his duty as the health minister.

Henceforth, I would like to urge Chua to take these few, very simple steps:

- Use the all channels of media to explain to the people o­n the nature of Sars;

- Provide all information o­n prevention and guidelines for medical attention when showing symptoms;

- Advice o­n preventive measures to help contain the virus;

- Work with the Education Ministry to provide necessary support and information to school children and if necessary hold an awareness campaign with schools nationwide. Work out a system with the Education Ministry to ensure that any student showing the symptoms is subjected to proper medical examination and isolated from the rest;

- Establish a 24-hour hotline for people to report suspected cases and seek advice. The centre should also provide round-the-clock surveillance of the situation. The centre should be set up in all states especially Johor where 50,000 people are commuting daily to Singapore; and

- Ensure that medical officers nationwide, in private or public hospitals and clinics, are prepared to treat cases.

The Health Ministry should not use the excuse of not wanting to create public panic in suppressing facts and information o­n Sars. Instead the ministry should engage the public and work hand-in-hand with them to contain the virus from becoming a full-blown national catastrophe.