Health ministry okays proposal to rope in medical fraternity for vaccination programme

The health ministry has approved a proposal to rope in those with a medical background including retirees, fresh graduates and volunteer doctors and nurses to be part of the Covid-19 vaccination programme.

Health Minister Dr Adham Baba said those selected will be able to contribute to the extra manpower needed at vaccination centres, including by taking on the role of vaccinators and managing cases at the observation section.

At a joint press conference with National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme coordinating minister Khairy Jamaluddin today, Adham said the move would help Malaysia reach its goal of administering 200,000 doses a day by July.

“One (proposal) that has been approved is for all housemen in our hospitals, in their sixth posting, to be moved to vaccine centres as vaccinators and also to manage cases at observation centres.

“Secondly, for medical school graduates such as doctors, dentists, medical assistants or nurses, we will train them and issue practice licences to manage the vaccine centres, and thirdly those who have retired and opted out early from the service will also be invited for this programme,” he said.

He said the ministry would also invite doctors who freelance at private hospitals to join the programme, adding that they will be given credit for their annual practicing certificates.

He also advised the public to continue complying with the SOPs set by the authorities.