Hospital Mesra steps in to provide services
Published on: Monday, April 06, 2020
File photo from Bernama.
Kota Kinabalu: Health officers from Mental Health Services and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) of Hospital Mesra Bukit Padang have stepped in to provide their services to some 3,125 people comprising those at the quarantine centres, Covid-19 patients and people under investigation (PUI) in Sabah. These officers comprise psychiatrists, medical officers, counselling psychology officers and clinical counselling officers, according to State Health Director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi (pic).
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The services provided include counselling, individual and psycho-educational intervention, group activities, info graphic information, DASS-21 screening and digitally delivered mental health alert cards.
Service operations are daily (Monday to Sunday) from 8am to 5pm, she said in a statement, adding the service is accessible via MHPSS Operations Room at 088-230987.
Dr Rundi also reminded those with family members returning from abroad not to wait at the airport for their arrivals, as they (those returning) will be sent directly to the quarantine centre following instructions from Wisma Putra under Phase 2 of the Movement Control Order (MCO).
“It has been clearly stated that all Malaysians returning from overseas will be quarantined for 14 days in designated quarantine centres, effective April 3.
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“Screening for Covid-19 will be done at the quarantine centres. Those who test positive will be sent to the hospital. If they are negative, they will be quarantined for 14 days.
“If within 14 days their results come up positive, they will be sent to the hospital,” she explained.
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Whereas students and those returning to Sabah from other states within the country are subjected to a 14-day home quarantine, as directed by the State Government on March 26.
Dr Rundi also emphasised the need for all individuals to comply with the quarantine directives and to fill out the Sabah Health Admission Form honestly.
Failure to do so is an offence under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.
As for quarantine centres, Dr Rundi said a total of 24 such centre have been opened.
“A total of 623 people are placed in the quarantine centres and 53 have been allowed to return home on Saturday (April 4).
“The cumulative number of those under monitor/supervision order for home quarantine under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 is 9,653 persons as of April 4.
“Whereas the number of close contacts still under supervision/observation order by the Health Department is 6,288, while the number of close contacts who have completed their 14-day home quarantine is 3,365 people.”
In conjunction with the MCO, the Department’s Inspectorate and Legal Unit carried out integrated operations with the police, local authorities and Rela comprising 441 personnel statewide.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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