WE have been seeing erratic Covid-19 cases in the past 2 weeks. Just today, new cases soared to 277, with 271 of them being foreigners. The question to now ask is – are we barking up the right tree here?

The Health Ministry has tirelessly worked, warned and upgraded the healthcare and public health systems accordingly to combat Covid-19, but there remains an awful subject that has yet to be addressed – have we educated our foreigners enough?

Please take a look at the picture below that I clearly remember seeing every day as I made my way to the Royal Yorkhill Children’s Hospital in Glasgow.

It is a sign that says hello in many languages. This is a page that we must take from the UK National Health Service’s book.

Yes, indeed our colonial masters might have been cruel and insensitive, but they have changed their ways ever since – being accommodative to all by communicating in their native languages (they had in-house translators then).

What does this have to do with the way Covid-19 is managed in Malaysia? Well, communicating in their own native languages may help them better understand the message we’re trying to get across.

With the current surge of cases among foreigners, perhaps it is time that the Health Ministry consider posting messages in the common languages used by foreigners so that they, too, are given the benefit of education for preventive measures.

Yes, they might live in congested environments but perhaps knowing that they shouldn’t be in those environments might help them voice their concerns to their employers or the authorities. 

Has anyone assessed our foreigners and see if they understand what social distancing is? I do not think so. At the moment, the messages are only clear for those who are fluent or able to comprehend English and Bahasa Melayu.

I strongly urge the Health Ministry and other relevant ministries to please consider following the NHS sign and provide information to foreigners in their native languages.

Yes, many might not be able to read, but those who can will at least spread the message to their countrymen. It is not a question of pride or prejudice anymore, it is to do what is right and what might work. – June 4, 2020.

* Dr Arvinder Singh HS is a medical officer.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.