We're ready for second wave, says minister
By Regina Lee and Eileen Ng
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is prepared for a second wave of the influenza A (H1N1) pandemic.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the ministry had set up a surveillance system.
Two clinics, including private ones, have been appointed in each of the country's 131 districts to keep tabs on people with influenza-like illness.
They will notify the ministry of every person who walks in with a cough and cold.
"In a normal day, the surveillance system is in place to take note of the number of common cough and cold cases, and also H1N1 cases.
"Even if a person has a normal flu, we will take it seriously," he said after launching the ministry's Hari Inovasi here yesterday.
Liow said thermal scanners at international airports remained in place.
A second wave of the pandemic appears to be occurring in countries of the northern hemisphere, such as Britain and the United States.
President Barack Obama has declared a national emergency in the US following a spike in H1N1 cases.
Liow said the situation in Malaysia was "fine".
The number of cases has gone down since the peak in August when 400 to 500 cases were reported a day. There are now 20 to 30 cases daily.
"H1N1 is still in Malaysia, but the number of cases has reduced tremendously."
The number of deaths remains at 77.
Liow said the 1Malaysia community clinics announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak when tabling 2010 Budget, would be launched in early January.
They will handle minor ailments such as cough, cold and headache as well as dressing minor wounds.
Each of the clinics will be manned by a health assistant and a nurse and will function like the klinik desa.
"The klinik desa emphasises treatment for mothers and children, while the 1Malaysia clinics will treat everyone."
Fifty locations have been identified for the establishment of the 1Malaysia clinics, while some will be mobile.
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