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We call on the Malaysian Health
Minister to concentrate on the true number of cases of SARS for the
daily updates and the measures to fight the disease, instead of
blaming other people including the media
Media Statement
by Dr Tan Seng Giaw
(Kuala Lumpur,
Friday):
As Singapore finds a case of SARS at the Pasir Panjang market, all market
traders are quarantined. It is logical that the 180 or more Malaysian
families connected with Pasir Panjang be quarantined for ten days.
According to the Health Minister, Datuk Chua Jui Meng, Malaysians working in
Singapore should stay in the republic for the time being.
Meanwhile, Datuk Chua seems to blame people such as Lim Kit Siang and the
media for making him unhappy. What he should do is to give us updates of the
true number of cases of possible, probable and genuine cases of SARS.
Today, the News Straits Times notes the ‘update” on 23 April, 2003 as 3
deaths, 5 probable SARS, 251 notified, 15 isolated on wards and 6
quarantined at home. What was the update for yesterday? I suppose it should
include some of the 180 families who have been ordered for quarantine.
Then, hospital workers should be cautious about sending patients home.
Yesterday, the Deputy Director-General of Health, Ismail Merican, mentioned
a 30-year-old air cargo company, Transmile Air, pilot who recently returned
from Hong Kong. The man had fever and cough on 22 April, 2003, and was
admitted to Penang Hospital the next day. The pilot had Chest X-ray that
was, at first, thought to be normal. He was discharged. He visited several
eateries and met many friends. When his chest X-ray was found to show a sign
of pneumonia, he was recalled and readmitted.
As SARS has infected more than 4,000 people worldwide, we have to take
effective measures to prevent further spread. Having a meeting of ASEAN,
Chinese and Japanese Health Ministers is a step. The previous Chinese Health
Minister and Beijing Mayor have been sacked because they have been blamed
for covering up the true number of cases of SARS. Chua should show a good
example by revealing the truth about the pandemic.
(254/4/2003)
* Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong
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http://dapmalaysia.org