GEORGE TOWN: After the arrival of three Indonesians seeking medical treatment here drew much flak on social media, the state wants all agencies regulating medical tourism to report to it.<\/p>\n\n\n
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said Penang had temporarily stopped all medical tourism activities due to a recent spike in Covid-19 cases here over the past week.<\/p>\n\n\n
\u201cIt is compulsory for all agencies involved in medical tourism to give all the information needed to the state government for more effective action on the issue,\u201d he said yesterday.<\/p>\n\n\n
He expressed regret that the state government was not informed of the \u201csudden\u201d arrival of the patients from Indonesia.<\/p>\n\n\n
\u201cMalaysian Healthcare Travel Council and Immigration Department informed us that the standard operating procedure (SOP) was adhered to.<\/p>\n\n\n
\u201cIn the emergency meeting I had today with the state secretary and other agencies, we were briefed about the two cancer patients and another patient from Indonesia who needed urgent treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n
\u201cI was informed that they were flown in on a special flight on Aug 14 in full compliance with the SOP set by the Federal Government.<\/p>\n\n\n
\u201cBut for now, we will not allow such forms of tourism as the safety of our people is of paramount importance,\u201d Chow said.<\/p>\n\n\n
He said the state secretary had been directed to hold a technical meeting with various agencies yesterday for further measures to guarantee the safety of people in Penang.<\/p>\n\n\n
Meanwhile, Penang MCA questioned the state government\u2019s earlier decision to allow the three foreign patients to seek treatment here.<\/p>\n\n\n
State MCA chairman Datuk Tan Teik Cheng said he was baffled that the state government had allowed the Indonesian patients here during such a critical moment.<\/p>\n\n\n
\u201cWhat assurances do we have that the patients followed all SOP and would continue to do so when they are in Penang?\u201d Tan asked.<\/p>\n\n\n
Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) also came out strongly against allowing medical tourists into the state.<\/p>\n\n\n
\u201cThose who oppose having such tourists here have legitimate concerns as the state is experiencing the effects of Covid-19 clusters that have formed in neighbouring states,\u201d said CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader.<\/p>\n\n\n
Meanwhile, Covid-19 rumours and fake news involving the state have been flying wild.<\/p>\n\n\n
Pulau Tikus assemblyman Chris Lee claimed he had to dispel rumours that he and his family were exposed to Covid-19.<\/p>\n\n\n
\u201cI hope all the nasty untruths or half-truths will stop as they are causing anxiety to the public.<\/p>\n\n\n
\u201cMy health and my family members\u2019 health is good and health authorities have assured us that we are not at risk,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n
In June, the National Security Council (NSC) decided that foreign patients could seek medical treatment in Malaysia without undergoing mandatory quarantine.<\/p>\n\n\n
Each may be accompanied by a guardian but both must be certified to be Covid-19-negative before boarding the plane to Malaysia.<\/p>\n\n\n
Upon arrival, they must be sent to a private hospital of their choosing immediately for treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n
NSC subsequently decided that only foreign medical evacuees \u2013 patients with life-threatening conditions \u2013 may come to Malaysia for treatment in the initial phase.<\/p>\n\n\n
More than half of the several hundred thousand medical tourists that come annually for treatment are Indonesians.<\/p>\n\n\n
As of yesterday, Indonesia (with a population of 267.7 million) has 139,549 accumulated cases and 6,150 Covid-19 deaths.<\/p>\n\n\n
Since July, the country has recorded about 2,000 cases daily.<\/p>\n\n\n