Get more health workers and volunteers in Covid-19 war, govt told

Get more health workers and volunteers in Covid-19 war, govt told

Patriot says hiring retired medical staff and securing help of volunteers will ease pressure on the health system.

The field hospital set up by the armed forces in Tawau, Sabah. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA:
More health workers have to be hired and more volunteers called up to serve on the frontlines in the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic, says the National Patriots Association (Patriot).
Mohamed Arshad Raji.

Its president, Brig-Gen (Rtd) Mohamed Arshad Raji, said hiring retired medical staff and specialists would help to meet the dire shortage of personnel to deal with the rising number of cases.

He was commenting on senior minister for security Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s statement that the armed forces (MAF) required at least 30 doctors and 100 paramedics for every new field hospital it opens in the country.

“The MAF is currently short of doctors and paramedics, and it needs to request the government to provide additional staff,” Ismail said.

Three field hospitals have been set up so far – at Kapit in Sarawak, Tawau in Sabah, and Kepala Batas, Penang.

The establishment of field hospitals at other locations is subject to the current needs and capacity provided by the health service division of the armed forces.

Stay current - Follow FMT on WhatsApp, Google news and Telegram

Subscribe to our newsletter and get news delivered to your mailbox.