KUALA LUMPUR: The United Nations (UN) has welcomed the Health Ministry's statement on Friday, that all foreigners, documented or otherwise, will receive the same medical treatment as any other patient.
The government in March had announced that screening and treatment for all foreigners, regardless of their immigration status, will be provided free of charge during the Movement Control Order (MCO).
"It took time to build the confidence of the part of the population who are undocumented to come forward. The government's public statements and reassurance were instrumental," the world body said in statement, today.
The UN said inclusive and non-discriminatory policies are essential to strengthen the response and recovery from Covid-19.
It said every person, especially the most vulnerable – including migrants, refugees, asylum-seekers and the stateless should have access to health services and assistance without fear of negative repercussions.
On Friday, reports emerged of large-scale arrests of undocumented migrants taking place in various Enhanced Movement Control Order locations.
"The fear of arrest and detention may push these vulnerable population groups further into hiding and prevent them from seeking treatment, with negative consequences for their own health and creating further risks to the spreading of Covid-19 to others.
"As reiterated by the UN Secretary General's appeal 'the world is only as strong as its weakest link'; and what applies to countries also applies to communities within countries," it said.
It said this was in line with Article 25(1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and with the "Leaving no one behind" commitment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, all states parties must ensure that the welfare of the most vulnerable, including migrant communities, are indeed not left behind in this fight against the virus.
It said this means to implement as a matter of priority non-custodial and community-based alternatives to detention, and where relevant to avoid immigration detention all together.
The UN said overcrowded conditions in immigration detention centres carry a high risk of increasing Covid-19 infection among both detainees and staff.
"It is especially important to prioritise the release of all children and their caregivers from immigration detention."
"Covid-19 does not discriminate. Equally we should not discriminate in our fight to end Covid-19. We all must ensure that nobody is left behind," it said.