Healthcare workers and MOH call centres operators are working flat out to deal with the current surge in Covid-19 cases. The strain has been apparent on the ground. Several of my residents who tested positive for Covid-19 sought my help because they did not receive timely instructions on what to do next or when they would be picked up by Cisco officers to be ferried to quarantine facilities. Some were worried because they were living with pregnant or elderly family members, and did not want to pass the infection on to them. They also had difficulty getting through to the MOH hotline to make enquiries.
I filed a Parliamentary Question on 22 September (to be answered on 4 October) asking whether more staff and resources will be provided to operate the MOH hotline and convey Covid-19 patients to quarantine facilities:
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song: To ask the Minister for Health (a) since 18 August 2021, how many patients who tested positive for COVID-19 waited (i) between 24 and 72 hours or (ii) more than 72 hours, after the receipt of their test results before being issued Quarantine Orders; and (b) whether more staff and resources will be provided to operate the Ministry hotline and convey COVID-19 patients to Government quarantine facilities.
I was glad to read over the weekend that that SAF had been brought in to supplement MOH resources. Our healthcare workers need more support and resources during this time of pandemic in order for them to perform the important work that our nation has tasked them to do.
Update: With the number of Covid-19 cases on the rise, MOH and the Healthcare Corps have put out a call for healthcare professionals to support the ramping up of healthcare capacity. If you are interested, please visit this form: https://form.gov.sg/#!/6149f2d27eb74e001278690a
