'Be strict with flood shelter SOP'

By Dawn Chan - October 27, 2021 @ 9:02am

KUALA LUMPUR: Following infection-mitigation measures strictly at flood relief centres are key to curb the spread of Covid-19 among evacuees and staff, said medical health experts.

Islamic Medical Association of Malaysia's Response and Relief Team (Imaret) Covid-19 task force coordinator Dr Ahmad Munawwar Helmi Salim said he had observed lax compliance with standard operating procedures (SOP) at the relief centres.

He said it was time for everyone to toe the line to curb the virus spread as the nation prepares to move to the endemic phase of Covid-19 after almost two years of the pandemic.

"From what I have observed at relief centres, the enforcement of the SOP is not enough, although it is extremely needed due to the crowd.

MORE NEWS

• Follow strict SOPs during Aidiladha, says Ahmad Marzuk

• Construction sector allowed to operate under strict SOP

• Hajiji: Get vaccinated and adhere to strict SOP

• Form Six students begin classes under strict SOP

"The Natural Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) has an SOP to follow. But it remains as SOP (on paper) if it is not enforced. Sometimes, people tend to forget that they need to comply with the safety measures.

"Therefore, they must be reminded by staff, including the People's Volunteer Corps members or Welfare Department officers.

"It is not just about enforcement. We need to educate flood victims on why it is crucial to maintain high personal hygiene and to keep themselves healthy," he told the New Straits Times.

Imaret, a non-governmental organisation set up in 2014, provides humanitarian relief to disaster and outreach programmes to marginalised communities.

It has about 1,000 volunteers, consisting of medical officers and young specialists from various medical backgrounds.

The NGO has been providing medical relief and had distributed hygiene kits during the annual floods.

Recently, they ran mobile clinics, facilitated Covid-19 tests and helped with vaccinations, including for the Orang Asli.

Last year, its volunteers were deployed to flood-hit Raub in Pahang and Kota Tinggi in Johor, to render medical aid and hand out hygiene kits at relief centres and to those stranded at home.

Dr Munawwar said flood evacuees at multipurpose halls or school halls and classrooms must be tested for Covid-19.

Those infected must be isolated while those who are virus free, must be told to confine themselves to their tents and not mingle with other flood victims.

Staff at relief centres, he said, must be tested for Covid-19 when they report to work.

"It is advisable to house the flood victims in an open hall where there is good ventilation. In an indoor environment, the infection risk is 18 times higher. If the victims are placed in a closed setting, more space should be opened up to accommodate them and to avoid overcrowding,"

Malaysian Public Health Physicians Association president Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar also echoed similar views.

He stressed that it was imperative for all to follow the SOP and the authorities should identify more relief centres to avoid crowding.

"However, the risk may be lower this year as the vaccination against Covid-19 is ongoing, compared with last year, when there was no protection against the virus.

"Nevertheless, everyone must remain vigilant.

"While the flood victims are seeking shelter at relief centres, the authorities should grab the opportunity to inoculate those who are eligible," he said.

Dr Zainal Ariffin was Pahang health director when the state was hit by massive flooding in 2013 and 2014.