THE Association for Residential Aged Care Operators of Malaysia is urging unlicensed nursing homes and senior citizen care centres to come forward and be part of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.
The association president Delren Terrence Douglas said there were many unlicensed centres in Malaysia and he was worried that these centres would not come forward to take part in the vaccination programme.
“The centres may feel that actions may be taken against them for being unlicensed.
“We appeal to these centres, please come forward. Take care of the elderly first.
“Register them for the vaccination programme. Priority should be given to saving lives.
“Our association will appeal for you and try to help you out. Come forward and be part of the vaccination programme,” he told a press conference, held virtually by Pulau Tikus assemblyman Chris Lee. The press conference was conducted via Facebook Live.
Douglas said the association was initially told by the Health Ministry that the centres would be receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
“We have a few unanswered questions.
“When will the Federal Government start vaccinating the nursing homes and care centres nationwide? Will the Government have enough manpower to do so? Does the Government need our assistance? When is the Government doing the preliminary checks?
“We understand that vaccination has been done in two centres.
“Our association is ready to assist the Government,” he said.
Lee urged the Federal Government to be clear on the type of Covid-19 vaccine which would be provided for nursing homes.
He also urged the Government to provide details on when would the preliminary checks and vaccination be done.
Also present was association secretary Fong Muntoh.