Liow briefs MPs about flu fight
KUALA LUMPUR :Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai met members of parliament from both sides of the house and assured them that the H1N1 situation in the country was under control.
He also said that Malaysia was a safe destination for tourists.
The minister held an hour-long closed-door briefing with 26 MPs at a room in Parliament on the situation and the measures taken to contain the virus from spreading.
Also present were Health director-general Tan Sri Dr. Ismail Merican and ministry’s Communicable Disease Control director Datuk Dr. Hasan Abdul Rahman.
“The outcome was encouraging. The MPs have shown great support and agreed to organise activities at community level to inform the people of the severity of the virus.
“I am also glad that non-governmental organisations have come forward to help us create awareness of influenza A,” said Liow at the parliament lobby after the briefing.
Among the opposition MPs were Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah), Hee Loy Sian (PKR-Petaling Jaya Selatan) and Jeff Ooi (DAP-Jelutong).
On Tuesday, Fong had urged the ministry to hold the briefing as there were many unanswered questions during the hour-long debate on an emergency motion on influenza A.
Dr. Ismail and Liow elaborated on questions raised yesterday, including on health screenings at the airports and early symptoms of the virus.
Later, Liow urged private companies to sponsor masks and to take part in corporate social responsibility programmes organised by the ministry.
“We have seen the number of cases going up exponentially and it is time to take strict precautionary measures.
“The inter-government agencies have also been working closely to curb the virus, even though we are still in the containment stage.”
On those performing the haj in December, Liow said the pilgrims would be administered with seasonal-flu vaccines, a practice that was being done every year.
“Malaysia is free from the outbreak so it is safe to visit Saudi Arabia. It’s up to their government to take own measures, like having border screenings.”
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