Hospitals will be overwhelmed if MCO is not taken seriously, warns MMA

PETALING JAYA: Public hospitals will be overwhelmed if Malaysians do not take the two-week movement control order (MCO) seriously, says the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA).

Its president Dr N. Ganabaskaran (pic) said hospitals may not be able to cope if Covid-19 cases continue to rise.

He said Malaysia 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.

Dr Ganasbakaran said that adults and youths living with older adults must stay at home and avoid non-essential travel.

He said there is a risk of transmitting the virus to the elderly, who are at higher risk of infections and complications that can lead to death.

Dr Ganasbakaran added that if the MCO is extended, it could cause serious economic implications that can lead to the 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 to the MCO is multi-lingually communicated everywhere, including on the streets through signage and banners.

"The public must be aware of the seriousness and dire consequences of non-compliance with the MCO," he said in a statement on Thursday (March 19).

However, he said the MMA is confident that with full compliance to the MCO, the country will soon see a decline in Covid-19 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 added.

On Thursday, another 110 new Covid-19 cases were reported, bringing the total to 900.

The two-week MCO began on March 18 and will end on March 31.

However, authorities have warned that the MCO might be extended if the current situation does not improve.