Keep protecting the rakyat’s health

FIRSTLY, we wish to record our highest appreciation for all front-line civil servants in the health, immigration and other agencies who are protecting Malaysia from the Covid-19 outbreak. During periods of national crisis, your courage, skill and sacrifice unites your country.

The highest priority of the government must be to protect the health and safety of our citizens. We are still fighting the Covid-19 outbreak while delivering routine healthcare to 32 million Malay-sians. We cannot compromise health even during periods of national uncertainty or political transitions, as our government’s legitimacy and our society’s harmony depend on the rakyat’s health.

As leaders in Malaysia’s health system, we stand firmly behind the Health Ministry’s leadership. We urge:

> All stakeholders to continue protecting the health of the rakyat during this period of transition;

> All politicians and political parties, all civil societies, the entire private sector and all citizens to unite behind our health professionals and the health service;

> A balanced emphasis on Covid-19 responses and routine healthcare, with adequate logistical, financial and human resources support for the Health Ministry and other relevant agencies;

> A renewed emphasis on protecting frontline professionals with adequate equipment such as masks, gloves and protective suits, and appropriate measures to avoid fatigue, stress or burn-out;

> All citizens to use the health service responsibly and respectfully.

We stand firmly behind the Health Ministry, as its leadership is crucial for the continuity of services.

We take this opportunity to thank the ministry’s previous leaders, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and Dr Lee Boon Chye, for their exemplary commitment and service.

We are united in fulfilling our duty to Malaysia and to our fellow citizens. We urge every stakeholder to prioritise the rakyat and protect their health.

Tan Sri Dr Abu Bakar Suleiman, Datuk Dr Amar Singh, Datuk Dr Christopher Lee, Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood, Tan Sri Dr M. Jegathesan, Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Khalid Abdul Kadir, Dr Khor Swee Kheng, Datuk Dr Musa Nordin, Dr Nur Amalina Che Bakri

Deans of medicine:

Prof Datuk Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman (Universiti Malaya), Prof Dr Raja Affendi Raja Ali (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia), Prof Dr Shaiful Bahari Ismail (Universiti Sains Malaysia)

Professional societies:

Prof Dr Rosmawati Mohamed (Master, Academy of Medicine Malaysia), Assoc Prof Dr Mohammad Husni Jamal (President, Academy of Family Physicians), Datuk Dr Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus (President, Mercy Malaysia), Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar (President, Public Health Physicians Association), Dr N. Ganabaskaran (President, Malaysian Medical Association), Haji Mustafa Abd Majid (President, Malaysian Association of Medical Assistants), Sharipah Asiah Syed Junid Aljunid (President, Malaysian Nurses Association), Amrahi Buang (President, Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society), Dr Jeffrey Abu Hassan (President, Islamic Medical Association Malaysia), Dr Abdul Halim Shibghatullah (Chairman, Ikram Health), Dr Ahmad Firdaus Mohd Haris (President, Medical Mythbusters Malaysia), Dr Raj Kumar Maharajah (President, Medical Practitioners Coalition Association), Public Health Malaysia