[OPINION] What does it take to change the behaviour of Malaysians? – Dr Feisul Idzwan Mustapha

COVID-19 has shown that Malaysians don't change behaviours through raising awareness and knowledge - despite the numerous health messaging, advisories by the Government and the Senior Minister (Security Cluster) and constant pleading by the Director-General of Health Malaysia in his daily press briefings. We needed to create policies (i.e. SOPs) and strictly enforce those SOPs to achieve behavioural change.

[EXPERT REACTION] Obesity risk factor for COVID-19 infection?

While the relation between obesity and COVID-19 is not fully known, there are emerging studies pointing to obesity as one of the top underlying condition for people aged 60 years old and under who are hospitalised for the coronavirus. Severe obesity reportedly increases the risk of a major COVID-19 complication known as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We asked experts to comment on obesity as a risk factor for becoming seriously ill with COVID-19.

[MEDIA RELEASE] Global Solutions for Global Access for COVID–19 Diagnostics, Treatments & Vaccines — MHC & DNDi

The signatories of this Joint Statement are a group of health professional societies, non-profit organizations, advocates, policymakers and citizens. We hold the strong position that the global fight against Covid–19 will be won only if all stakeholders play their part. Therefore, we urge all global diagnostics, pharmaceutical and vaccine companies, including Gilead, to meet the following recommendations to ensure that all of humanity will have people’s vaccines, people’s medicines and people’s diagnostics.

[OPINION] Impact of COVID-19 on Children’s Health

Children form a small proportion of those who have tested positive in this COVID-19 pandemic. In Malaysia, children aged 0-12 years comprised of 317 out of 6,872 cases identified (4.6%). Although children get infected with COVID-19 and transmit the disease, the vast majority generally do very well or remain asymptomatic; severe illness and death are rare. Recently however there has been concern, as young children infected with COVID-19 have presented with a severe Kawasaki-like disease with some fatality.

[OPINION] COVID-19 Governmental Response: A Comparative Reflection Of The Malaysian Performa

Various responses have been launched by different countries since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in their bid to minimize its toll within the shortest time possible. The enemy is unseen and its true nature unknown leaving governments either throwing all resources possible albeit the kitchen sink towards this affect. Conversely are those who opt for a liberal approach minimally restraining and relying upon good public literacy and trusting self-regulatory social measures.

[OPINION] Palatable Strategies for the COVID-19 Epilogue – Dr Dhesi BR

As the world grapples with the containment of the COVID-19 pandemic whilst it crushes socio-economic foundations and brings world-leaders to their knees, the question at the back of our minds is how will the story-line end? Dr Dhesi BR opines pragmatic options on flattening the curve should be placed on the table for critical evaluation in finding that postscript for the final chapter in the COVID-19 saga. If possible to flatten and shrink it, ‘squishing the curve’.

[MEDIA RELEASE] SOP: Post-Lockdown COVID-19 Safety Guidance for Early Childhood Centres

The National Early Childhood Intervention Council Malaysia has developed a detailed standard operating policy (SOP) to ensure a COVID-19-safe environment for early intervention centres (EIPs), childcare centres and kindergartens. It works as a guideline for early childhood centres to take precautionary measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 disease in the community when the centres reopen for operation.