Page 24 - The Covid-19 Chronicles of Malaysia: Navigating the Storm

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The Deputy Director-General of Health

In my decades of service, this
COVID-19 pandemic has truly
been a milestone for me and my
team. As I reflect on my service

within the government of
Malaysia, I am thankful that I’ve
had a wealth of experience on the
ground. It certainly has helped me
see this pandemic through a more
realistic lens with wider horizons.

Evidently, the world has had to
make many sudden decisions with
very minimal evidence, especially
at the beginning of this pandemic.

For years we often say that health We’re all human and in this
is everyone’s business but during pandemic, I saw senior officers
this pandemic, I personally saw break down in fatigue and utter
each Ministry working in solidarity. exhaustion. Whilst we preach
Yes, there were differences, and about caring for the mental health
hiccups in implementing the SOPs of the public, as a Leader in my
but it has been very challenging organisation, I had to remind my

from the policy-makers’ point of team to take some time off, even if
view. it was a day in the week. Everyone
has had to attend countless
As the Deputy Director-General of meetings and video conferences
Health for Public Health, I knew amidst the daily core jobs of
that eyes were on me, looking up chairing meetings at work that are
to me for decisions.
not related to COVID-19.