Page 188 - MALAYSIA HEALTH SECTOR RESPONSE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC: PERSPECTIVES FROM THE FIELD

PART 9: CHALLENGES AND LESSONS LEARNT

9.1 Learning from the Previous COVID-19 Waves

The success in flattening the COVID-19 curve and halting the transmission
in the first and second COVID-19 waves has provided valuable experiences
to the MOH Malaysia to be more prepared and ready for the third wave. This
time, MOH Malaysia was prompt in allocating resources accordingly.
Facilities suitable for designation as low-risk treatment and quarantine
centres were able to be identified. Besides, necessary equipment such as
beds, respirator machines, and others to be gathered and obtained swiftly
upon the emergence of any new clusters have been identified to smoothen
work processes. Importantly, a pool of human resources trained in COVID-
19 case management and the correct use of personal protective equipment
has been identified; this could facilitate swift mobilisation of HCWs to areas
in need of additional personnel when necessary. This was important
particularly when there were shortages of HCWs, especially when the close
contacts, often the co-workers, of the infected HCWs were also instructed
to undergo quarantine according to the MOH guidelines. In order to ensure
the continuity of the healthcare services, mobilisation of HCWs from other
healthcare facilities was often needed.

9.2 Overwhelming Surge in COVID-19 Cases

MOH Malaysia has implemented various strategies to increase healthcare
services' capacity in preparation for the expected surge in COVID-19 cases
in the third COVID-19 wave. The hospital facilities such as ICU beds and
respirator machines were increased to accommodate the increasing number
of COVID-19 patients with category three and above. More PKRCs were
established to isolate and treat those low-risk, asymptomatic COVID-19
patients. The daily laboratory testing capacity was enhanced as well to
accelerate the COVID-19 test results so that COVID-19 positive cases could
be isolated as soon as possible to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the
community.

The scale of the surge in the third wave, particularly in December 2020, has
exceeded the expectation and gone beyond Malaysia's healthcare capacity.
1
With daily new COVID-19 cases exceeding 1,000 cases in December 2020 ,
the healthcare services in MOH facilities were overwhelmed with the
increasing number of COVID-19 patients, particularly those needing

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152 CHALLENGES AND LESSONS LEARNT