PUBLIC hospitals will be overwhelmed if the two-week movement control order is not taken seriously by the public, warned the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA).

Hospitals may not be able to cope if Covid-19 cases continue to rise, said MMA president Dr N. Ganabaskaran in a statement today.

“The public must be aware of the seriousness and dire consequences of non-compliance with the movement control order.

“If Malaysians continue to ignore the order, cases of infections may rise further, similar to the situation in Italy, where after its people continued to congregate, attend mass gatherings and social activities.

“There are now nearly 36,000 Covid-19 cases there and 3,000 deaths as a result.”

Malaysia currently has 135 government hospitals, nine special medical institutes, 926 ventilators in intensive care unit (ICU) facilities, 152 non-invasive ventilators, 142 transport ventilators and 210 private hospitals.

Adults and youths living with older adults are advised to stay at home and avoid non-essential travel, due to the danger of bringing home infections to their elders, who are at greater risk of infection and complications that can even lead to death.

“The director-general of health has warned that if there is no improvement, the order may be extended and this will cause even further, more serious, economic problems for the country, such as loss of jobs, income and businesses shutting down.

He also said the Communications and Multimedia Ministry has a key role in ensuring that the importance of strict compliance with the order is communicated everywhere, including on the streets through signs and banners.

“The public must be aware of the seriousness and dire consequences of non-compliance with the order,” he said of the two-week containment period that will end March 31.

“However, we are confident that with full compliance, the country will soon see a decline in cases.

“We urge the public to be patient during this time and give its full support to the authorities in carrying out their duties,” he said.

Today, Health Minister Dr Adham Baba said Malaysia recorded 110 new cases today, bringing the total to 900.

He said that 63 of the new cases were linked to the Masjid Jamek Sri Petaling tabligh assembly.

Twenty of these cases are being treated in intensive care and need breathing assistance.

Adham said another 15 patients have been discharged from hospital, bringing the total number of recovered cases to 75. – March 19, 2020.