Letter: Our nation is gripped by an avalanche of serious influenza cases which can escalate into a serious epidemic and even a pandemic.
An influenza pandemic is an epidemic of an influenza virus that spreads on a worldwide scale.
The 1918 influenza pandemic, commonly known as the Spanish flu, was an unusually deadly influenza pandemic involving the H1N1 influenza virus.
It infected 500 million people worldwide, killing over 50 million (three to five per cent of Earth’s population at the time) making it a global disaster in human history.
In the wake of this onslaught, patients ran from hospitals to private clinics in a frantic search for influenza vaccines only to be turned away with the standard “Sorry, no stock” reply.
We will be a first world country by 2020 but are we anywhere near there?
The Health Ministry’s allocation of funds in the budget is woefully inadequate.
This is despite the huge budget allocated to the ministry.
Has the government got its priorities right?
Why is the government paying more attention to pampering the ministers and senior officials with new cars when we are caught with our pants down in this health crisis?
Why such unpreparedness?
Is it not ironic that the government is toying with the idea
to make vaccinations compulsory when, at the same time, the very same vaccinations are sold out?
In Canada, for instance, vulnerable groups such as children under the age of 5, adults aged 65 and above and those with compromised health issues such as asthma, breathing difficulties, diabetes, hypertension and heart disease are given free vaccinations.
Giving free vaccinations is very much a cost-effective measure compared with the compulsory treatment of a massive number
of influenza victims in government hospitals where, amongst other things, beds are at a premium.
The current practice of vaccine supplies by distributors is to supply first for use in government hospitals for the police, the army, Customs, Immigration and VVIPs.
This anomaly must be addressed. The government must realise that private clinics are the frontliners and as such should not be forced to play second fiddle in receiving the vaccines.
Private clinics should receive the vaccines at the same time as government agencies.
In other countries, the minister would resign in a similar crisis but in Malaysia we are more forgiving and allow the person to continue, hoping for a better performance.
It is the paramount responsibility of the government of the day to secure the health and well-being of its citizens.
DR A. SOORIAN
Seremban, Negri Sembilan