Klang MP: Govt needs to be more transparent with Covid-19 info
COVID-19 | Klang MP Charles Santiago has called on the federal government to be more transparent regarding Covid-19 outbreaks in the district.
There is a need to manage information effectively to create confidence among the communities in Klang, he said...
COVID-19 | Klang MP Charles Santiago has called on the federal government to be more transparent regarding Covid-19 outbreaks in the district.
There is a need to manage information effectively to create confidence among the communities in Klang, he said.
"One such strategy is the 'all of government' and 'all of society' approach, where every possible resource available is used effectively.
"Firstly, the Health Ministry needs to set up a Klang Covid-19 response team to stem anxiety and fear. The members of the team could involve Health Ministry federal and state officials, health-based NGOs and professional bodies," he said in a statement today.
Charles also listed the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), Malaysian Public Health Physicians Association, Majlis Perbandaran Kelang (MPK) and the Klang business community as those who should be part of the response team.
"This team should monitor, create awareness, provide daily reports, mobilise local communities and factories to address the significant increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in the area," he added.
The DAP MP gave an example of a recent outbreak involving healthcare workers at the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital in Klang, where there were alleged attempts for it to be kept away from public knowledge.
He said "to keep issues hushed up" is incredibly difficult, especially when the people are also concerned about the rising number of cases there.
"Even before it was reported in the media, there were rumours about a breakout of cases in the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital and even more speculations about a possible cover-up. There may be no basis to this gossip but the point is that people were panicking.
"The recent spike in the number of Covid-19 cases in Klang doesn’t help, with public health experts warning we may have a 'mini Sabah' in my constituency if the situation is not contained soon.
"Thus, there is a need to manage information effectively to create confidence amongst local communities and businesses," he added.
Last week, Malaysiakini reported that an outbreak emerged at the Klang hospital. The Selangor Health Department later confirmed that 50 staff members and an undisclosed number of patients tested positive for Covid-19.
Transparency is key
Charles stressed the importance of being transparent during the pandemic, saying that the proposed response team should provide daily updates on the Covid-19 situation in Klang.
This will counter false information that creates confusion, fear and uncertainty, he said.
"It will also give the locals a sense of security and confidence to socialise outside their house, including frequenting local businesses," Charles added.
The issue of information sharing concerning Covid-19 cases in Selangor, especially in Klang, which recently became a hotspot for coronavirus cases, is not new.
Last week, Selangor exco in charge of health Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud told Malaysiakini that she too had been kept in the dark over outbreaks at government hospitals in the state.
"I do not have such information. All this is held by the Selangor Health Department and the Health Ministry, and they don't pass it to me.
"The ministry has control, and they don't inform us," she said in a text message when asked about another outbreak at Serdang Hospital.
Malaysiakini had contacted Siti Mariah after receiving information that at least a dozen staff members and several patients at Serdang Hospital were infected with Covid-19 this month.
A similar issue was also raised by a Klang Municipal Council (MPK) councillor, who yesterday told Malaysiakini that information was not shared with them by federal health agencies.
It went to the extent that volunteers were sent to Klang to conduct disinfection activities as the council was not informed of cases there, the source claimed.
"On Saturday, a team of volunteers came from Kuala Lumpur to spray (disinfectant) in Bukit Tinggi and a commercial area (in Klang).
"The health authority and federal government could not even share (information with us). Those who came were from an NGO. This is very sad," the source said.
Former health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad, who now heads the Selangor Special Task Force on Covid-19, had also previously called for inter-agency data sharing in combating the pandemic.
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