Health Ministry rejects claim of being ‘late’ in tackling coronavirus crisis

KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has dismissed claims that it has been ‘late’ in taking action against the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak in the country.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, said Malaysia’s facilities and relief teams were at their best state of preparedness even prior to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) announcement that the virus – which originated in Wuhan, China – was a global health emergency, Bernama reported.

“We understand the people’s concerns, but if (they are saying) that the Ministry is slow to act, (I must point out that) our National Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) at Sungai Buloh was activated on Jan 5, right after we were made aware of the crisis, even before the WHO held its meeting (on the outbreak),” Dr Dzulkefly said on TV3’s Bulletin Utama, last night.

He also stressed that the ministry has vast experience in dealing with health crises, such as the Nipah Virus, Zika and H1N1.

“(Also), frontliners involved in managing the coronavirus infection are equipped with full protective gear. (They are at) 57 hospitals which have been identified as screening hospitals – 26 (of which are) prepared to provide treatment.

“However, we do not want to be complacent, even though the Global Health Security Index has placed Malaysia third in Asia behind Thailand and South Korea in terms of national preparedness and ability to deal with infectious diseases,” Dr Dzulkefly added.

Source: NST