Dear Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad,
Our heartfelt congratulations on your appointment as Malaysia’s new Health Minister. As you step into this position, we extend our best wishes and hopes for a more successful tenure than your predecessor; one that prioritises the health and well-being of a nation.
Many rejoiced at your return, however, it is crucial we cut to the chase and address the elephant in the room — the alarming surge of Covid-19 cases. Malaysians are watching closely, the chilling recollection of economic repercussions from lockdowns, restrictions, and the strain on the healthcare system still fresh in our minds. Small and medium enterprises, the backbone of our economy, are particularly vulnerable. So, let’s be clear: the task before you is monumental. The recent uptick in infections demands nothing short of your immediate attention, and we implore you to approach this situation with the gravity it deserves.
The economic cost of another uncontrolled wave is simply too high to ignore. A spike in cases threatens to paralyse businesses, shutter crucial services, and erode the fragile economic recovery we’ve clawed back over the past two years. It’s not just about hospital beds and case numbers; it’s about safeguarding livelihoods, protecting jobs, and ensuring stability for millions of Malaysians.
The path forward requires your most decisive action. We need a robust evidence-based approach, i.e. aggressive testing and contact tracing where necessary. This should align seamlessly with your inaugural commitment to fully implement the digital health transformation agenda. Credit where it’s due, it is such a relief to see that the Health Ministry with you in charge had already begun advising the public to wear masks after reported cases almost doubled in a week.
If deemed essential, vaccination campaigns ought to be reinvigorated, with a special focus on reaching hesitant communities. Drawing from past experiences, and backed by extensive research, we know that vaccination is substantially more cost-effective when compared to the economic impact of lockdowns. Transparency and clear communication will be pivotal in garnering public support for vital measures, dispelling misinformation, and overall, fostering a sense of national unity and collective responsibility in preventing another round of lockdown policies.
Dr Dzul, your wealth of experience, dedication to public health and foresight as demonstrated by your advocacy for the Generational End Game (GEG) provision marks you as a leader capable of steering the nation through this critical juncture. This is not the time for half-measures. We need bold leadership and strategic action to contain this virus.
Your appointment as Health Minister brings hope, and as such, we stand with you, Dr Dzul. Not just in applause, but also in a chorus counseling swift and deliberate action. Time is of the essence: the economy, along with countless lives, hangs on the pendulum of your wisdom and political will.
Seize the hour, Doctor.
