2010/01/25
By Annie Freeda Cruez
KUALA LUMPUR: The cabinet has approved RM158 million for the Health Ministry to upgrade intensive care units at government hospitals, staff skills and treatment in preparation for a possible second wave of influenza A (H1N1).
Should the country be hit again, hospitals would be better equipped as there would be more ventilators, personal protective gear, antiviral drugs and vaccines.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said health and medical staff would be updated with the current information on H1N1 to manage cases more effectively.
Malaysia is, in fact, more than prepared to handle the H1N1 pandemic, especially with its National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan and experience in handling outbreaks, such as the Nipah virus, bird flu and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
The country is also commended by World Health Organisation director-general Dr Margaret Chan for its efficient and effective handling of H1N1.
Liow said the ministry was re-stocking its antiviral stockpile. The country now has 1.65 million courses of the antiviral drugs.
The ministry has started a vaccination drive to prevent and control the second wave of the pandemic.
"We received 119,000 doses of the vaccine from the supplier late last year and have distributed it to all the states to vaccinate frontline workers.
"By the end of the month, we will get another 400,000 doses of the vaccine, which will be given to all government hospitals and health centres to vaccinate those in the high-risk groups, such as pregnant mothers, patients with chronic respiratory conditions and those on haemodialysis."
The ministry estimated that some 200,000 people in the high-risk groups would be vaccinated starting next month.
Liow said the ministry's officials would have close contact with WHO and Asean member countries to exchange information and also to get updates on the disease.
The ministry's Inter Ministerial Committee and Technical Committee will be re-activated if there is any indication of a second wave of H1N1.
"We have strengthened our surveillance at the ministerial, state and district levels. The command centre at the ministry is on top of things," said Liow.
"Our sentinel surveillance team in each state also takes samples at random from H1N1 victims to ascertain if there is any mutation."
Although the ministry was on high alert as far as the pandemic was concerned, Liow said the public, government and private hospitals as well as clinics should be on alert as well.
"As far as Malaysia is concerned, the H1N1 situation is very much under control with only one or two confirmed cases reported daily. I must thank the public for their cooperation."
The public should continue to practise hand hygiene, cough etiquette and use of mask if a person has influenza-like illness (ILI) symptoms, and cooperate with the government to prevent a second wave of the pandemic.
Between Jan 10 and 16, Liow said, 355 new cases were registered with ILI symptoms, while 355 patients warded earlier were discharged.
On Jan 16, only 341 cases were being treated at 43 hospitals nationwide. Of the number, Liow said, only 25 were confirmed positive for H1N1.
Since May last year, a total of 12,356 people have been confirmed positive for the disease in Malaysia.
Liow said there was an ILI cluster case at the Sungai Selisek Geokosmo National Service Training Centre on Jan 16, but samples taken showed negative for H1N1.
"The trainers and authorities at all NS training camps must take proactive measures to prevent and contain the spread of ILI and H1N1 among the trainees. If someone is found sick, he or she must be treated immediately and advised to practise social distancing."
He said trainees must adhere to personal hygiene and cough and sneeze etiquette if they were ill.
The death toll in Malaysia still stands at 77.
Liow reminded Malaysians that the H1N1 virus was still actively spreading in the community and countries in the Northern Hemisphere.
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