ID :
77596
Sat, 08/29/2009 - 22:37
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/77596
The shortlink copeid
MALAYSIANS HAVE LOW UNDERSTANDING OF H1N1, SAYS WHO
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 (Bernama) -- A report by the World Health Organisation
(WHO) revealed that Malaysians have low understanding and poor knowledge on the
spread of influenza A (H1N1).
Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai said the WHO report he received on Thursday
showed that the public did not take H1N1 seriously, leading to an increase in
cases.
He said of the four campaigns, that on the wearing of nose and mouth masks,
personal hygiene, use of sanitisers and hand cleaning, only the wearing of masks
had given the public the most awareness.
"Public awareness on measures to check the spread of H1N1 is still low,
despite the many campaigns held from May to Aug. This includes high risk groups.
"It seems that public response and awareness is still lukewarm. We cannot
afford to be complacent," he told reporters after launching the "Let's Stop
H1N1" campaign organised by MCA here Saturday.
The report was filed by three WHO experts who were here to monitor the
pandemic, including the publicity campaigns and public response.
Liow said the ministry would continue to hold campaigns to raise public
awareness via forums, talks and exhibitions with the support of the mass media,
political parties and non-governmental organisations (NGO).
However, he was satisfied with the government's proactive measures to check
the spread of the virus.
"WHO knows that we have a sensitive and capable system that can trace and
detect A (H1N1) patients fast. We are able to track and treat them early.
"Although the death rate in Malaysia is quite high, it is still within the
WHO limit."
Malaysia had registered 71 deaths from H1N1.
He said WHO proposed that more beds be made available at Intensive Care
Units (ICU) in hospitals to accommodate high risk patients.
"WHO's proposal will be implemented in hospitals as the number of H1N1
patients have increased."
Liow urged public transport operators to place sanitisers at terminals and
distribute masks to passengers during the Aidilfitri festive season to check the
spread of H1N1.
"The sanitisers will show to passengers that the operators have high
awareness of the virus," he said.
On public fears of a second wave of H1N1 at year end which could claim more
lives, Liow assured that hospitals had adequate supply of Tamiflu, the antiviral
drug used to treat patients.
-- BERNAMA
(WHO) revealed that Malaysians have low understanding and poor knowledge on the
spread of influenza A (H1N1).
Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai said the WHO report he received on Thursday
showed that the public did not take H1N1 seriously, leading to an increase in
cases.
He said of the four campaigns, that on the wearing of nose and mouth masks,
personal hygiene, use of sanitisers and hand cleaning, only the wearing of masks
had given the public the most awareness.
"Public awareness on measures to check the spread of H1N1 is still low,
despite the many campaigns held from May to Aug. This includes high risk groups.
"It seems that public response and awareness is still lukewarm. We cannot
afford to be complacent," he told reporters after launching the "Let's Stop
H1N1" campaign organised by MCA here Saturday.
The report was filed by three WHO experts who were here to monitor the
pandemic, including the publicity campaigns and public response.
Liow said the ministry would continue to hold campaigns to raise public
awareness via forums, talks and exhibitions with the support of the mass media,
political parties and non-governmental organisations (NGO).
However, he was satisfied with the government's proactive measures to check
the spread of the virus.
"WHO knows that we have a sensitive and capable system that can trace and
detect A (H1N1) patients fast. We are able to track and treat them early.
"Although the death rate in Malaysia is quite high, it is still within the
WHO limit."
Malaysia had registered 71 deaths from H1N1.
He said WHO proposed that more beds be made available at Intensive Care
Units (ICU) in hospitals to accommodate high risk patients.
"WHO's proposal will be implemented in hospitals as the number of H1N1
patients have increased."
Liow urged public transport operators to place sanitisers at terminals and
distribute masks to passengers during the Aidilfitri festive season to check the
spread of H1N1.
"The sanitisers will show to passengers that the operators have high
awareness of the virus," he said.
On public fears of a second wave of H1N1 at year end which could claim more
lives, Liow assured that hospitals had adequate supply of Tamiflu, the antiviral
drug used to treat patients.
-- BERNAMA
