Double-shift system proposal only for crowded clinics - Deputy Health Minister

The proposal of a double-shift system by the Ministry of Health (MOH) will only be adopted at crowded government clinics, said Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali.

He said besides the number of patients receiving treatment at healthcare facilities, other factors to be considered when implementing the system included the capacity and capabilities of the staff.

He said the two shifts were to reduce the burden of MOH personnel since some of them stationed in clinics had to work extended hours of up to 10 pm.

"It is true that we allow them to make claims, but at the expense of their personal time and spending time with family.

"In addition, we can also ensure social distancing because there are too many patients and some clinics have several doctors in one treatment room," he told reporters after the Shopee Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) COVID-19 Fund cheque presentation ceremony here yesterday.

According to Dr Noor Azmi, the ministry had tried to implement the two-shift system at several crowded clinics, including in Pahang and Putrajaya, in mid-June this year.

"Those that implement the system are clinics that extend their operating hours. We just reduced the extended hours and put them into shifts.

"It is good so far. I am sure they (staff) are happy as it has reduced their workload compared to those days when they had to work until 10 pm," he added.

Commenting on the standard operating procedure (SOP) in schools to curb the spread of COVID-19, Dr Noor Azmi said there had been no cases of non-compliance so far.

He also reminded parents not to send symptomatic children to nurseries or kindergartens when they resume operations Wednesday.

Meanwhile, MMA Foundation (MMAF) president Datuk R. Doraisingam Pillai said RM699,830 has been raised online through the Shopee MMA COVID-19 Fund for healthcare workers battling the pandemic.

The fund, launched in April this year, is a collaboration between MMA, MMAF and an online shopping platform, Shopee. It has collected an accumulated amount of RM964,881.

"All proceeds from the fund will be channelled via MMAF for the benefit of frontliners fighting the pandemic," he added.

Shopee regional managing director Ian Ho said this fund was important in ensuring that medical workers are taken care of so that the healthcare sector is better positioned to continue the good fight against COVID-19.

The Shopee MMA COVID-19 fund has attracted over 32,000 donors over the three-month period since its launch.

Donations of RM5 were made via the MMA and MMAF digital storefront on the Shopee application, with contributions of RM100 and above getting a tax-exempt receipt.

Tuesday is the last day for donations.

-- BERNAMA