THE government’s decision to impose a total lockdown is timely, as it would reduce the pressure and burden on the national healthcare system, said Mohamad Hasan. 

However, the Umno deputy president expressed his concerns about the sustainability of the country’s healthcare system, saying the battle with the Covid-19 pandemic was going to be arduous.

Mohamad, better known as Tok Mat, suggested a few strategies to combat the situation, including for the government to quickly prepare the national healthcare system.

He called for the number of intensive care units (ICU) to be doubled soon, saying field ICUs are not a long-term solution. 

“The building of a specialised hospital for national emergencies is worth being considered. We must build one soon and fast. We must mobilise the nation’s best construction companies for this patriotic duty. 

“Learn from China. When the pandemic was initially detected, their first move was to build hospitals quickly. 

“If that is too difficult to be executed, then consider nationalising a few private hospitals or any facilities that can be turned into government owned hospitals soon,” he said in a Facebook post today. 

Tok Mat added that preparing the healthcare system included doubling up the resources, as he claimed that front-liners, who had been handling the situation since February last year, were tired and exhausted. 

“Expertise and manpower from various private clinics can be borrowed in times of emergency.

“Take advantage of the sizeable number of graduates that have not received their placements. Volunteers without a healthcare background can do a variety of administrative and field work. 

“The exhaustion and fatigue felt by front-liners are real. Therefore, the hiring of retired and expatriate specialists, along with trained staff from countries like the Philippines must be considered soon if internal resources are limited,” the BN deputy chairman said. 

The former Negri Sembilan menteri besar further said the vaccination process, heavily reliant on external suppliers, has also stunted the national vaccination plan due to slow supply. 

He added that the nation’s preparedness must take into account threats from all new diverse variants. 

He said the public should not take the lockdown for granted, assuming that it would help to reduce the number of cases. 

He said there was a tendency for the cases to spike when the economic sectors are open. 

“Although the majority believes a total lockdown could reduce the number of cases, transmission can still occur and rise again the moment we reopen our economic sectors,” he said. – May 30, 2021.