Page 7 - MALAYSIA HEALTH SECTOR RESPONSE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC: PERSPECTIVES FROM THE FIELD

HOPE AMIDST UNCERTAINTY
Hope Amidst Uncertainty

The year 2020 has truly been a challenging year
as we continue to face the uncertainties of the
The year 2020 has truly been a challenging
COVID-19 pandemic. Since the early stage of
year as we continue to face the uncertainties
the outbreak, the government has initiated
of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the early
stage of the outbreak, the government has
several efforts to improve our healthcare
initiated several efforts to improve our
capacity and preparedness to combat the
healthcare capacity and preparedness to
pandemic and further strengthen the health
combat the pandemic and further strengthen
the health system. Safeguarding the well-
system. Safeguarding the well-being of the
being of the Rakyat and the nation remains
Rakyat and the nation remains our top
our top priority.
priority.
However, it remains a huge challenge to strike a balance between health and

economy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. In the third wave of the pandemic,
However, it remains a huge challenge to strike a balance between health
movement control order is more targeted to areas with high burden of
and economy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. In the third wave of the
COVID-19 cases – education and social sectors face restriction, while economic
pandemic, movement control order is more targeted to areas with high
activities and supply chain were allowed to function – a compromise necessary
to protect the community at large. The government with the consultation of
burden of COVID-19 cases – education and social sectors face restriction,
many stakeholders also set a series of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs),
while economic activities and supply chain were allowed to function – a
aiming to break the transmission chain of COVID-19 in the country without
compromise necessary to protect the community at large. The government
compromising the livelihood of the Rakyat.
with the consultation of many stakeholders also set a series of Standard
The war against COVID-19 is futile without the cooperation of the Rakyat.
Operating Procedures (SOPs), aiming to break the transmission chain of
However, it has been cited that the ongoing third wave also saw the lack of
COVID-19 in the country without compromising the livelihood of the Rakyat.
discipline in adhering to the SOPs. Thus, all of us must continue complying
with the new norms to protect ourselves, families, and the community from

the virus, as well as to prevent the collapse of our healthcare system. Let’s
The war against COVID-19 is futile without the cooperation of the Rakyat.
#kitajagakita, and look towards the future in hope and optimism.
However, it has been cited that the ongoing third wave also saw the lack of
discipline in adhering to the SOPs. Thus, all of us must continue complying
with the new norms to protect ourselves, families, and the community from
the virus, as well as to prevent the collapse of our healthcare system. Let's

#kitajagakita, and look towards the future in hope and optimism.

YB Dato’ Dr Haji Noor Azmi bin Ghazali

Deputy Minister of Health I, Malaysia

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Dato' Dr Haji Noor Azmi bin Ghazali
Deputy Minister of Health I, Malaysia

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