KUALA LUMPUR: Cases of influenza and severe acute respiratory infections are on a downward trend, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
The Health Minister said influenza-like illness cases fell from 9.68% in mid October to 8.18% for Oct 19 to 25.
“The cases of severe acute respiratory infections also showed a slight decrease from 10.56% to 10.45%,” he said on Thursday (Oct 30).
He spoke at a press conference after handing over advanced physiotherapy equipment to Hospital Rehabilitasi Cheras.
Dzulkefly said the ministry will continue monitoring and liaising closely with the Education Ministry, particularly on school cases.
On Oct 16, Dzulkefly told Parliament that about 83% of influenza clusters were detected in schools and kindergartens.
He said about 65.8% were in schools and about 17% in kindergartens.
Dzulkefly said there are no plans to close schools or require students to wear face masks.
He said closures would be based on health district advice after considering several factors.
Meanwhile, Dzulkefly said 7,373 patients sought outpatient physiotherapy at Hospital Rehabilitasi Cheras as of September.
He said 1,190 patients were admitted during the same period.
“The average inpatient length of stay was about 22 days. The average recovery outcome, based on objective measures, is 75% to 80% achieving rehabilitation targets,” he added.
Earlier, he said Hospital Rehabilitasi Cheras is among 21 facilities to be upgraded as Centres of Excellence.
He said this is under the ministry’s national health reform agenda and added that
RM100mil was allocated to raise their status between 2025 and 2026.
Dzulkefly said Hospital Rehabilitasi Cheras received 37 types of advanced physiotherapy equipment worth RM5.38mil.
The equipment includes a lower limb exoskeletal robotic device, a wearable hand exoskeleton and a virtual vestibular rehabilitation system.
He said rehabilitation should not view patients as accident victims but as whole individuals.
“Rehabilitation should not merely be about healing muscles and nerves,” he said.
“It also involves the mindset and spirit so patients have hope, dignity and pride after traumatic injuries,” he added.
Dzulkefly said the goal is for patients to return as productive members of society.
He commended Hospital Rehabilitasi Cheras for serving as the national rehabilitation referral centre.
