An important message to Health Ministry and all Malaysians

LETTER | This open letter is an important message to all of us, Malaysians. As we know, the number of Covid-19 cases is on the increase every day. A total of 1,306 cases were recorded on March 21, 2020 and it is expected to rise by the end of the week.

In the battle against Covid-19, the Ministry of Health (MOH) is the main pillar to save Malaysians from contracting the deadly virus.

We believe that the MOH is always serious and committed to handling this epidemic situation. Therefore, in this critical situation, room for mistakes and carelessness should be avoided at all costs.

However, recently Dr Adham Baba raised doubts among the public about his credibility as the health minister. This is due to the statement he delivered in a TV show hosted by RTM on March 19, 2020. During the show, he stated that the coronavirus can be killed by drinking warm water and that acid in the stomach can destroy the virus.

His view has gained the attention of many, including a medical doctor like Dr Amalina Che Bakri. She slammed Adham’s statement via her Twitter account, saying that killing the virus by drinking warm water is just a myth. In fact, there is no scientific proof to it.

Besides, on Feb 26, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) also shared Amalina’s (above) view on the matter. In addition, the director-general of Health, Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, also informed the public that any treatments used for Covid-19 patients must be scientifically proven.

Therefore, we urge the Health Ministry to make a clarification on this matter to the public. This is to prevent the public from believing the misinformation made by Adham. As a reminder, if Adham does not have the accurate facts, it is better for him to admit his lack of knowledge on the particular issue, rather than giving a misleading statement to the public.

We suggest that Adham and his team immediately correct this fact through a media statement to clarify on the matter.

According to a statement made by Noor Hisham recently, he keeps his distance from the misstatement made by the health minister that says Covid-19 can be avoided by drinking warm water. Noor Hisham also states that patients’ management and treatments by MOH are based on clinical and scientific evidence. Evidence and data-based medications are MOH’s pillar in terms of treatments used for patients.

In view of the increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in Malaysia, all information from MOH needs to be checked thoroughly in order not to mislead the public. This incident of giving false or unscientifically proven information should be avoided because it can give a negative impact and create panic in society.

What is most important now is we should strengthen the workforce, upgrade our medical facilities by increasing the number of hospital beds, medical equipment and supplies, and give high priority to the frontliners’ health protection.

A message for selfish Malaysians

Looking at the number of patients placed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and Malaysia’s increasing number of Covid-19 cases, the Ministry of Health needs to work hard to fight this epidemic. Not only that, but the public also has a huge role in battling the spread of this virus by following MOH’s guidelines and instructions.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has ordered Malaysians in his speech to “Stay at home, minimise your movement”. Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah also strongly ordered all the Malaysians to follow the movement control order (MCO).

They have done their job. Us? Still stubborn and keep disobeying the order? Bringing family members out unnecessarily and seemingly unconcerned about the one-metre rule that has been set by the MOH? Some even spread fake news about Covid-19 on social media. These immoral actions need to stop immediately as it will make things worse.

To all beloved Malaysians, there is still hope to heal our country and the world from this epidemic and for our lives to return to normal. We want to be with our loved ones, but this will not happen if we keep being stubborn and violate the MCO.

Therefore, we urge all the readers to keep practising these tips during the MCO:

1. Stay at home. Leave your house only for urgent matters;

2. Minimise the number of family members to run errands out there. One person is enough;

3. Wear a three-layer face mask and bring hand sanitiser with you for personal hygiene;

4. When you arrive home, avoid contact with all family members. Wash your clothes immediately;

5. Take a bath immediately to thoroughly clean yourself;

6. Work from home; and

7. Always be alert to current updates by the authorities.

Remember that the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) will be assisting the police force in enforcing the movement control order starting this Sunday.

Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob states that the government is confident that with the assistance of the ATM, the public will be more obedient with the MCO. Let us keep hoping that we can overcome the spread of this virus and the epidemic can be stopped immediately with the cooperation of all parties.

Hence, all Malaysians, please give your full cooperation for everyone’s sake. Not forgetting, a big thank you goes to all MOH’s frontliners, the police force and all obedient Malaysians.

Keep praying for Malaysia!

AJDA NUHA AND LUTHFI YUSRI are activists of Harmoni Youth Association of Malaysia

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.