KUALA LUMPUR: The public must continue with hygiene practices against Covid-19 to keep the disease at bay, even as it is no longer a pandemic, health NGOs warn.
The multi-disciplinary NGOs cautioned that the public could still fall victim to Covid-19 infection, which is considered fatal for high-risk and vulnerable groups such as unvaccinated children.
The NGOs’ leaders say that it is worrying that the public has become lax with handwashing and hygiene practices which were religiously practised during the height of the pandemic.
The NGOs including the Malaysian Society of Infection Control and Infectious Diseases (MyICID), National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM), Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRC) and Diabetes Malaysia (DM) said this at a forum today (Sept 9) for the launch of the second MyPelindung - a public education campaign to champion health and safety in living with Covid-19.
The campaign is in collaboration with Pfizer Malaysia with the theme “Protect Malaysia, Stay Healthy Together”.
Pfizer Malaysia was represented by Deborah Seifert.
At the forum, NCSM managing director Dr Murallitharan Munisamy said that high-risk groups with morbid conditions must continue to be vaccinated as they risk getting complications once affected with Covid-19.
“With almost a third of Malaysia having morbid illnesses, it is sad that Malaysians tend to forget easily and there seems to be a lax attitude toward Covid.
“A pocket study two months ago showed that during the height of the pandemic, everyone was washing their hands frequently and using hand sanitisers.
“However, today if you walk into restaurants, you find very few of the patrons would even make use of the washbasins. The danger may be further today but the risk is still there of getting infected,” said Dr Murallitharan.
MRC secretary-general Datuk Danial Iskandar said that it would be good for everyone to remember the pains many of the authorities and volunteers went through to get vaccines to everyone.
“As we continue to live with covid, we must remember to continue with hygiene practices.
“During the pandemic, we worked with leaders of marginalised and displaced communities to reach out and convince them to be vaccinated on behalf of the government. We must not forget,” said Danial.
Diabetes Malaysia secretary-general Dr Mohazmi Mohamed said that there are still Covid-19 patients being hospitalised for severe complications.
“It is crucial to understand that Covid-19 viruses still pose significant threats. In my clinic, we still keep on masks as we have respiratory illness patients.
“This is because we worry when Covid-19 affects the co-morbid patients. The statistics of Covid-19 patients with complications still exist in hospitals.
“As for diabetic sufferers, it is important to always be aware of their diabetes situation so that when they do get Covid-19, they do not get infected severely,” said Dr Mohazmi.
At the event, the audience was treated to a gameshow-like situation where celebrities answered questions on Covid-19.
The celebrities, known as “MyPelindung advocates”, included actor Datuk Jalaluddin Hassan, Salamiyyah Hassan, Atilia Harun, Diba and Aishah Sinclair, influencer Dr Shazril Shaharuddin (Say Shazril) and actress Fasha Sandha.
