MELAKA: Free influenza vaccinations are only given to senior citizens with chronic conditions, said state executive councillor for Health, Human Resources, and Unity, Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem.
He explained that elderly people with diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and other illnesses are at higher risk of serious complications, hospitalisation, or death from influenza.
“Antiviral medication such as Tamiflu is also supplied to patients in need and available at Ministry of Health (MOH) hospitals and health clinics.
“However, this is a controlled medication not meant for all patients, as 80 to 90 percent of influenza cases are mild and can recover on their own. Taking this drug requires a doctor’s prescription to ensure rational use and prevent antiviral resistance,” he said at the Melaka legislative assembly sitting at the Seri Negeri Complex here today.
Ngwe was answering a question posed by Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali (BN-Lendu), who wanted to know the state government’s initiatives to help reduce the burden on B40 families in obtaining influenza-related treatment.
Elaborating further, Ngwe said a proposal to establish strategic cooperation with private clinics is seen as a viable option to improve public access to comprehensive healthcare services.
He said, however, that such a programme needs to be thoroughly examined and formalised as an MOH policy.
“For your information, MOH’s main policy regarding influenza management focuses on screening, treatment, and vaccination.
“All these critical services, including clinical screening, antiviral medication treatment and vaccination for MOH’s target groups, are fully accessible at government health facilities,” he said. — BERNAMA
