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MOH hiring retired medical staff to help out with COVID-19 outbreak

Mar 23, 2020

Retired medical staff and specialists are being roped in to help the government deal with the Covid-19 outbreak. 

The Health Ministry Director-General says this will allow them to deploy much-needed additional resources to the hospitals currently dealing with coronavirus cases. 

He adds that the ministry is also looking into appointing more labs – including those under universities and the Armed Forces – to conduct testing for Covid-19. 

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Medical Association welcomes the decision to bring in retired personnel. 

President Dr N. Gnanabaskaran says they will be valuable assets: 

“This is a good initiative by the government especially because these personnel who are retired are experienced people. And if they really need them to come back im sure every one of them will be able to offer their services effectively in the control of Covid.”

This came as 123 new coronavirus cases were reported yesterday, meaning there are now 1,306 total infections in the country. 

The death toll also increased by two to 10 fatalities. 

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More face masks to meet demand soon

Some 10 million face masks will be brought in from China to make up for the local shortfall amid the Covid-19 outbreak. 

Senior Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof says an agreement has been reached with Chinese authorities for these shipments to be imported in stages, with the Transport Ministry to be in charge of the operation. 

Meanwhile, the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry says the government is considering giving out free hand sanitizers and face masks to the public during the Covid-19 outbreak, with the National Security Council to make a final decision on the matter soon. 

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More security at markets to maintain social distancing

The Defence Ministry says police and Armed Forces personnel will help patrol supermarkets and markets, to make sure people maintain social distancing during the MCO. 

It is advising people to stay at least one meter away from one another, when going out to buy food and essential items.