COVID-19: Malaysia, Singapore form working group
PUCHONG: Malaysia and Singapore have agreed to form a Joint Working Group (JWG) to further improve cooperation, prevention and control to stem the spread of coronavirus.
In a joint statement between Malaysia and Singapore Health Ministries, they said that both countries have activated a bilateral Field Epidemiology Training Network (FETN) to share surveillance data and exchange of information, such as national advisories and public messaging on COVID-19.
Malaysia’s Health Ministry deputy director general of health Dr Chong Chee Kheong and Singapore’s Health Ministry deputy secretary Dr Benjamin Koh held a meeting yesterday to sort out ways on how to manage the situation.
Senior health officials from both nations also participated in the meeting.
“Delegates also visited the health screening facilities at Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex in Johor Bahru,” it said.
Both nations also updated one another on the COVID-19 situations in their countries, on top of sharing existing screening protocols at the two land borders and discussed joint-border cooperation.
“The JWG also agreed to carry out check-in inspections on both countries and coordinate health protocols at the borders.
“Both officials also exchanged information about the clinical management of patients among technical experts,” it said.
The second JWG meeting is planned for next month.
By S Jeevita
