Doctors in government service and in private practice here noted that Rundi, who had been heading the Sabah health department since November 2012, was an epidemiologist.
“She is a public health specialist and holds a doctorate in epidemiology. She is what Sabah needs now to steer the health department,” a doctor here said.
Despite her qualifications, Rundi’s transfer to Putrajaya as the health ministry’s family development division director has left Sabah’s medical fraternity surprised.
“We understand all civil servants are liable for transfer but why do it now when Sabah, like the rest of the country, is in the midst of combating Covid-19 and Dr Christina has been in the thick of things since the pandemic broke out?” asked another doctor.
Describing the transfer as “budu” (a local colloquial term for “silly”), another doctor said Rundi had been a key figure in formulating stringent measures to rein in the Covid-19 infection rate that had skyrocketed to more than 1,000 daily following the September 2020 state polls.
“Sabah is a big state with numerous islands and the presence of many undocumented immigrants. Yet, the number of Covid-19 cases has remained relatively low, thanks in part to Dr Christina’s leadership,” a doctor said.
“We have nothing against a new director of health. But now is simply not the time to replace people,” the doctor added.
Rundi was replaced by another Sabahan, Dr Rose Nani Mudin.
The Sabah health department had a congratulatory posting on its Facebook page, welcoming the new director who was previously the health ministry’s deputy director (infectious diseases) and also the director of the vaccination centre (PPV) at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.
The department also posted a farewell message to Rundi, thanking her for her services and contributions.
Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah also announced on his Facebook today that Rose’s appointment was effective from yesterday.
Noor Hisham said Rose is a public health specialist with wide experience in public health and the clinical field as well as having the expertise in epidemiology and diseases spread by vectors.