Frontliners fashion makeshift protective suits out of garbage bags

CORONAVIRUS | A video clip showing hospital staff using garbage bags as makeshift protective suits has gone viral on social media.

The video clip, which was purportedly taken at a hospital in Kelantan, designated to fight Covid-19, shows staff "tailoring" plastic bags into protective headgear.

A staff first measures the size of his colleague's head and face, and then cuts the plastic bag into "protective" headgear. The aim? To protect the staff from being infected by the deadly virus.

He then wears a blue cap on top of the plastic "protection" to ensure his head is properly covered.

The clip, which has exposed the stark shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers, has sent a shockwave to netizens.

"While these efforts are admirable, we do not want the government to delay supplying frontline staff with PPE suits. Don't compromise the safety of our medical personnel with garbage bags which do not function like PPE suits," said Netizen Rahah Ghazali.

"It's disgraceful that our frontline healthcare workers are deprived. We are not in war," said K Krishnamurthy.

"It is so sad that medical workers are without proper and adequate protective gear," said Conan4thepeople.

Another netizen questioned Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, stating: "Why is this happening? PM said the supplies are adequate."

A social media user then posted an image of a disposable raincoat and asked: "Is this suitable for temporary use?"

Another video clip, purportedly taking place at a medical centre attached to a public university, shows three medical workers wrapping plastic material to their colleague's leg.

Another image shows women tailoring single-use headcovers with plastic material.

Ain Izzati Khiruddin said on social media: "We are producing our own disposable headcovers. Our matron, with her sewing machine, trying her best to reduce cost and stay safe."

This immediately sparked conversation, purportedly between medical personnel from other hospitals.

"May I know what material you are using? My place also facing a shortage of head cover," replied "Eca".

Ain Izzati said: "We are using CSSU (material) to wrap the sterile set. It is neither woven fabric nor paper. It is not as hot as plastic and not easily torn."

It was reported that a total of 32 government hospitals and a university hospital are Covid-19 designated hospitals.

The Health Ministry has said there are 57 government hospitals and 170 health clinics throughout the country ready to conduct health screenings.

The shortage of PPE has become a serious issue in other countries as well. The world has recorded over 334,000 Covid-19 cases and more than 14,000 deaths.

There were reports showing individuals and NGOs stepping in to provide makeshift PPE for their healthcare frontline personnel.

Malaysia has recorded a total of 1,306 Covid-19 positive cases as of noon yesterday. Today, the death toll increased to 11.

When contacted, Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said hospitals have run out of PPE but orders for more has been made.

"Stay safe and stay at home, (practice) social distancing and wash your hands.

"Please do not use the mask unless you have to. The mask and PPE should be reserved for frontline workers.

"That’s our first priority, more so when we are running short of PPE now. Order placement has been made," he said in a text message to Malaysiakini.

Beside PPE, it is also known that the country is facing a mask shortage.

Malaysia is attempting to purchase 10 million pieces from China.

The Chinese government and entrepreneurs had donated masks to Malaysia and other Asean countries that have been hit by the virus. 

US scholar praises Malaysia's Covid-19 response, says US should emulate

Are the poor and marginalised being short changed?

First person charged over enforcement of MCO

Senior citizen with heart problem, hypertension is latest Covid-19 victim