Big firms urged to help fight Covid-19 by giving equipment – Free Malaysia Today

Mass testing for Covid-19 will be difficult as Malaysia has limited healthcare resources, says think tank chief Azrul Khalib.

PETALING JAYA: A specialist in infectious diseases has appealed to major corporations to contribute test kits and other medical equipment to help the government in its fight against Covid-19.

Dr Christopher Lee, a former health deputy director-general, told FMT he would like to see a large increase in the number of people being tested for the virus.

This meant the health ministry needed more equipment, he said.

Some countries, most notably South Korea, have shown that mass testing is effective in containing the spread of the disease.

Lee said mass testing would make possible the identification of those needing to be isolated even before the appearance of symptoms.

It is an attractive option, he said. But this can only happen in countries with large capacities for testing.

Malaysia is not yet at that level of capability although the health ministry has put in place immediate plans to increase testing capacity from the current 3,500 tests per day to about 16,000 by early April.

He urged large corporations to help the ministry by supplying essential equipment such as test kits and ventilators and other intensive care equipment.

We have to prepare for large numbers of people to be sick at one time, he said. Even as we speak, 64 patients are in intensive care, with 24 requiring respiratory support.

And we have yet to reach the peak in Malaysia.

Malaysian Medical Association president Dr N Ganabaskaran said testing should be expanded to all healthcare providers exposed to Covid-19 cases, including asymptomatic cases.

We should also test all influenza-like illnesses and viral pneumonia, he said. Those tested should be quarantined even while waiting for the results.

Azrul Khalib, the CEO of the Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy, said mass testing would be a challenge because of Malaysias limited healthcare resources.

Such a mobilisation would involve diverting skilled staff who might be needed in the public hospitals and laboratories, which are the main focal points for the Covid-19 response, he said.

This would be on top additional funding, he added.

He also said Malaysians would have to accept a loss of privacy if mass testing were to be carried out.

But he added that such a measure would help prevent public hospitals and clinics from being overwhelmed.

By identifying and treating infections early and segregating mild cases to isolation wards, well be able to keep our hospitals reserved only for cases needing critical care.

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Big firms urged to help fight Covid-19 by giving equipment - Free Malaysia Today

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