Our total number of Covid-19 cases jumped to 1518 cases yesterday (March 23) and the rate of people getting infected is unlikely to slow down for now. Worse still, the number of people seeking medical attention now has exceeded the capacity of our healthcare system. Facing this situation, the Health Ministry has decided to recall retired doctors and nurses to join and reinforce frontlines.

According to Malaysiakini, Health Director-General Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah said that the Health Ministry is targeting to call back over 2,000 skilled medical professionals to assist as soon as possible, as these experienced healthcare workers will be able to help.

“We are in the process of looking at how we can increase human resources, including nurses and doctors.

“What is important now, we are looking at those who already have the experience like nurses and specialists who have retired. They can help us,” he said during a press conference in Putrajaya yesterday.

In order to combat the virus, the ministry is also putting effort into strengthening medical devices, the Director-General added.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Dr. N. Ganabaskaran said that MMA has listed down the names of volunteering medical staff that are willing to assist in fighting the battle against Covid-19, according to Chinapress, so the risk of current medical workers being overworked can be reduced. He pointed out that doctors from private sectors as well as retired healthcare workers are ready to come forward and fight the virus.

We may not know your names, but to all the heroes who serve and sacrifice for the betterment of Malaysia, thank you very much!